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Guadalajara, the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco in the centre of the country, is Mexico's second largest city. As traffic congestion got heavier it was inevitable to build an efficient mass transit system. Instead of a heavy metro network like the one operating in Mexico City, Guadalajara began developing a light rail system which runs underground for most of its length.

The first line was inaugurated in 1989 and runs below Avenida del Federalismo, a broad avenue built through the historic centre in the 1970's. Today the network counts two lines, Line 1 runs north - south and Line 2 east - west, although currently only the eastern part of this line is in operation. Whereas Line 1 (15.5 km, 7 underground and 12 surface stations) runs partly on the surface on separate right-of-way and with some level crossings along Av. Colón, Line 2 (8.5 km - 10 stations, 1994) is totally underground and thus completed segregated from other traffic. All stations on Line 1 have recently been refurbished in order to improve safety for passengers. At the transfer station Juárez an art gallery was incorporated into the station complex.

The Guadalajara metro is operated by SITEUR. The metro carries some 50 million passengers a year. During rush hours there are 20 trains in operation, 12 on Line 1 and 8 on Line 2. Whereas on Line 1 stations are prepared for 4-car-trains only (60 m), on Line 2 ten-car-trains (148 m) can be used. Although only half the length, Line 2 carries almost the same number of passengers as Line 1. A trip on Line 1 takes 30 minutes and on Line 2 15 minutes.

1 Sept 1989 - Line 1 Periférico Norte - Periférico Sur (15.5 km - 6.6 km underground)

1 July 1994 - Line 2 Juárez - Tetlán (8.5 km)

 Projects

Apart from extending Line 2 towards the west, and Line 1 towards the north (3km), three new lines are planned.

In late 2009, the construction of line 3 was announced. This will become a low-floor surface light rail line running south from Isla Raza station on line 1 via Las Juntas to terminate at Santa Fe in Tlajomulco (16.5 km with 21 stops). At the same time, line 1 will be modernised.

SITEUR (Official Page)

Tren Ligero de Guadalajara at Wikipedia