The Quito Metro ( es, Metro de Quito), abbreviated as MDQ, is an underground rail mass transit system consisting of a single line that is operational since January 2023 in
Quito, the capital of
Ecuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...
.
History
Construction on the main south and north stations began in December 2012.
Construction of the metro line began in January 2016.
The metro was projected to be operational in August 2020,
but has been delayed to the third trimester of 2022.
Started operation in December 2022
System
The system's first line, which will include 15 stations, extends from Quitumbe (which is to the south of the city) to El Labrador (which is to the north of the city). The 15 stations on this line are:
* Quitumbe
* Morán Valverde
* Solanda
* Cardenal de la Torre
* El Recreo
* La Magdalena
* San Francisco
* La Alameda
* El Ejido
* Universidad Central
* La Pradera
* La Carolina
* Iñaquito
* Jipijapa
* El Labrador
Only one of the stations, the one in
Plaza de San Francisco (by the
San Francisco monastery), will be placed in the
historic center of Quito (declared a
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
by
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
in 1978).
Due to archaeological remains found at the proposed site of the San Francisco Station in late 2016, the station will be moved two blocks further south to Plaza 24th of May, and the remains will not be disturbed further.
The design of Line 1 allows for a further five stations intermediate to those initially constructed to be built if demand warrants, and for a potential 5 km extension northwards to the Ofelia bus terminal.
File:Construction, Metro de Quito, Parque La Carolina, Ecuador (pic.b)1.jpg
File:El Metro ya es una realidad. Quito, Metro 2019 a billboard at Parque La Carolina, Ecuador Andes Mountains.jpg
File:Construction, Metro de Quito, Parque La Carolina, Ecuador (pic.b).jpg
File:(Metro de Quito) side of work truck,.jpg
File:Quito Metro, June 2016, Plaza de San Francisco, pic a1 Centro Histórico de Quito.jpg
File:Quito Metro, June 2016, Plaza de San Francisco, pic a3 Centro Histórico de Quito.jpg
File:Quito Metro, June 2016, Plaza de San Francisco, pic a4 Centro Histórico de Quito.jpg
References
External links
*
Quito on ''UrbanRail.net''
Transport in Quito
Rapid transit in Ecuador
Underground rapid transit in Ecuador
{{SouthAm-metro-stub