Metro of Caracas

Metros in Venezuela: Caracas Metro

The city of Caracas, officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the political, economic, financial, and cultural center of Venezuela, besides being the capital of the country. It has an approximate population of almost three million inhabitants, five if we include its metropolitan area.

The periphery is the area with the highest population density, making the center a congested zone from Monday to Friday, but rather desolate on non-working days. The demand for mobility is enormous, despite the fact that the transport system is somewhat precarious.

For all this, as early as the 1960s, the authorities decided to carry out relevant studies on a possible underground transport system that would meet the demands of the population. By 1968 an international consortium was contracted, which would be in charge of building what today is known as Caracas Metro.

After detailed studies by the consortium, as well as reaching an agreement to carry out the respective expropriations on the land that would be used for construction, in 1975 the subway lift began.

Line 1, whose extension covered the East and West ends of the city, section Palo Verde-Propatria, was inaugurated in 1983 in a first stage with 8 stations, out of 22 that it would have in total. In later years, authorities of the metropolis gradually extended the system, until having five lines today.

Lines and stations

The underground system of the Venezuelan capital has a total of 52 stations, distributed in five lines, which cover a total of 70 km.

Line 1 extends from the East in the Petare neighborhood, to the West in the Catia sector, serving the Palo Verde and Propatria stations, respectively. It has a total of 22 stations in 20 km crossing the center of the city. It is the oldest line, completed in 1989, although today it is also the most modern.

In the case of line 2, although its inauguration dates back to 1987, it was not until 2006 that it was completed. It has two routes. The first, direction Las Adjuntas-Zona Rental, has 14 stations in 23.1 km, joining the Macarao parish with the zona rental of Plaza Venezuela. The second route, Zoologico-Silencio, has 11 stations distributed in 18.6 km, serving the neighborhood of Caricuao, to the urbanization El Silencio in the center of Caracas. To recognize the trains that go to one terminal or another, in the intermediate stops you will need to ask some passengers, since they are rarely identified.

Line 3 was inaugurated in 1995 with five stations, to complete a total of eleven recently, in 2010. It connects the Coche parish with Plaza Venezuela, covering 10.6 km and serving the south of the city, where it connects with the railway Los Valles del Tuy in the Rinconada station. In addition, it is the line that serves the iconic Ciudad Universitaria, world heritage, belonging to the Central University of Venezuela.

On its own, line 4 is an extension of line 2. Integrated only by four stations along 5.5 km. Teatros, Nuevo Circo, Parque Central and Zona Rental are the stations that give life to this Caracas metro route, which connect with line 2 at the Capuchinos stop.

Finally, line 5 is still under construction. However, in 2015 it was inaugurated with a single station, named Bello Monte, which is connected as an extension to line 4 in the terminal Zona Rental.

Schedule

The Caracas metro system has a fixed schedule from Monday to Sunday, regardless of holidays, which runs from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm.

Fares and tickets

The tickets are identified by their color, in addition to having simple and integrated versions. They can be purchased at the ticket booths within the stations, as well as at kiosks bearing the company's transport logo. In addition, the user can avail of Metro Card calls, which are charged based on the number of trips that the passenger wishes to cancel. Tickets are classified as follows:

Simple: Yellow color ticket. It allows the user to have a single trip in the system, but without limits of stations or transfers to other lines. Its fare is 4 Bs. (Due to exchange control established in the country, it is not possible to give a figure of the equivalent in other currencies, such as dollars or euros. Therefore, it is advisable to inquire about the exchange rate before traveling to Caribbean territory).

Simple Integrated: Also yellow like the one above. It grants the passenger the same benefit as the regular Simple ticket, but also offers the possibility of using the same ticket to take advantage of a trip in the system of short and medium-range buses known as MetroBus. The cost in this modality rises to 6 Bs.

Return Trip: This ticket offers the user the possibility of accessing two trips within the Caracas Metro system. Like the Simple, it is yellow and its cost is 8 Bs. Highly recommended for occasional trips, which involve boarding the trains only once.

Return Trip Integrated: It is identical to the previous one. It allows two trips to the passenger, one to go and another to return, without limits of stations or transfers between different routes of the system. With the particularity that it offers the possibility of making use of the MetroBus, with two trips. It has a cost of 12 Bs.

MultiAbono: Its color is orange. Especially recommended for those who make daily use of the metro facilities, it allows ten trips available to the user without station limits or transfers. The sale price for this ticket is 36 Bs.

MultiAbono Integrated: Like the previous one, it is orange. It allows the passengers ten trips, without station limits or transfers in the system. But it also has ten trips on MetroBus, very convenient for those who use both services on a recurring basis. It has a value of 54 Bs, is the ticket with the highest denomination that the user can access.

MetroCard: They are red with the transport company logo. They can be recharged for 20, 30 or 40 trips, as needed. 20 trips cost 78 Bs, 30 trips 108 Bs, and 40 trips 144 Bs. The cards can be recharged in the sale booths or in the electronic ticket offices arranged throughout the whole subway network.

MetroCard Integrated: It is identical to the normal MetroCard, also red and with the same number of trips, but with the additional transport in the MetroBus. 20 trips have a cost of 108 Bs, 30 trips 162 Bs, and 40 trips 216 Bs. It is the same number of trips in buses as in trains, without limits of stations or transfers.

Students: Students at all levels, up to the undergraduate level, can utilize the student ticket Simple and Simple Integrated, which allow them ten trips for a cost of 0.9 Bs per trip. They are blue in color, generally obtained in packages of five or six units, which can be obtained at a specific station of the system, per the residence address of the student. For the integrated version, the trips are priced at 1.2 Bs, the trip by metro and by MetroBus are including in that price.

Seniors and People with Disabilities: Women over 55 and men over 60 do not pay in the underground system or in the superficial MetroBus. These services are totally free for these groups. In addition, they count with the collaboration of the underground personnel, who are qualified to provide the help demanded by the users.

Caracas Metro Connections

The Caracas metro has connections with other transportation systems that complement it, just as all its routes are connected at some station. The most important point is located in the Plaza Venezuela terminal on line 1, where it converges with lines 2, 3 and 4. In turn, in the same line, the metro is connected with other stations with feeding systems, such as BusCaracas at the station La Hoyada. The latter is a rapid transit system, consisting of articulated buses that serve the city center from north to south. It is considered line 7 of the Caracas Metro, although it is not a subway. Meanwhile, on the eastern end of the same route 1, the subway connects with CableTren at the Petare station, which caters to different areas in the Petare neighborhood

In the case of line 3, it connects at La Rinconada station with Los Valles del Tuy rail system, which serves the towns of Charallave and Cúa on the outskirts of the capital. Line 2 joins the Los Teques Metro system, which serves the town of the same name in its final stop Las Adjuntas.

Line 4 also has connections to systems other than the metro, specifically at the Parque Central stop, where it connects to the MetroCable, a cable car system that serves the San Agustín area. All the routes of MetroBus that serve the zones near the stations are added to the alternatives that complement the Metro of Caracas.

Regulation

Terms of Service

Anyone over four years of age is required to purchase a ticket to travel in both the underground and superficial systems.

Carrying bags or packages cannot be an obstacle to the free movement of other passengers.

Pets are not allowed in the facilities of the Caracas Metro system. An exception will only be made in the case of people with disabilities, who require a service animal to accompany them.

When the user has a bag or backpack, he/she must place it on the side of his body to enter the train.

Blue seats, as well as preferential areas, are only available for the use of people with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Safety Rules

The user must maintain a reasonable distance from the yellow line on the platforms. Under no circumstances can you cross it without the train having stopped.

It is strictly forbidden to smoke, transport flammable material, dangerous chemicals or pyrotechnic articles in the subway facilities.

Users will not be able to access the facilities and make use of the services offered by the meter system under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or hallucinogens.

If not subject to an imminent threat, it is prohibited to run through the subway stations, platforms and trains.

When transporting a cart with small children, you must fold it before entering the premises. Otherwise you could be admonished.

Travel Regulations

It is recommended that you always walk ride your right side when you want to stop, and to step to one side, so as not to hinder the traffic of other users.

Be aware of tourniquet signs, escalators and walkways, as their use is only permitted when the green light is on.

Attitude and Behavior Rules

Follow the instructions and orders of the operating personnel in case of any contingency situation. Also, obey the signs that are on the stations and trains.

The use of music players without headphones is prohibited, as it creates discomfort in other passengers, while also interfering with the messages transmitted by the horns of the trains.

Do not obstruct the closing of doors. Such action can be admonished for generating delays in the system.

You cannot sit on the floor or on the stairs or lean against the walls, both inside the terminals and on the trains.

Avoid distracting the system’s operating personnel.

Begging or peddling of goods within subway stations, as well as trains, is prohibited.

Permanence Rules

The system vouchers or tickets must be kept in good condition to be able to enter the metro facilities.

Do not hesitate to go to operational or security personnel when you feel threatened or have an emergency. They will give you all the possible attention.

Safety devices, such as alarms, extinguishers or hoses, may only be used for real contingency situations. The idle use of these artifacts will be admonished.

Caracas Metro

Hygiene and Cleaning Standards

Avoid throwing garbage in the Caracas Metro system facilities.

It is prohibited to eat food or beverages within the stations and trains of the system.

You will be admonished in case of deliberate damage to service facilities.

Placing your feet on train seats is prohibited.

Transporting Bicycles

You can only transport your bicycle in the system on Sundays, from 5:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Children who have bicycles must be accompanied by their guardians.

Only one bicycle per person allowed.

In the event of an emergency, operating personnel may reserve the right to prevent access to bicycles.

The transport of bicycles is only allowed in the last car of each train.

The user/owner of the bicycle will be responsible for his/her vehicle, as well as for any damage it may incur on the premises.

Tips on using the system

• 1. Try to always carry cash when you access the Caracas Metro system, as the ticket booths do not have devices for charging credit or debit cards.
• 2. Avoid wearing ostentatious items, items which seem noticeably expensive, in order to protect your physical integrity.
• 3. Avoid taking photographs within the system without prior authorization, as this action is admonished.
• 4. Avoid using high-end electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets or laptops, within the system's facilities, to protect your safety.
• 5. Look out for the social networks of the metro system, especially Twitter, as this platform is used to send warnings and notices about station closings cue to extraordinary events.

Maiquetía and Caracas Metro Airport

There is no direct connection between the Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport and the Caracas Metro, not even under the MetroBus modality. However, if you intend to arrive at the air terminal using the subway, you must take line 1 of the system all the way to the Gato Negro station. Once there, at the terminal departures you will find taxi lines that service to Maiquetía. It should be noted that the airport is not located right in Caracas, but in a satellite city, La Guaira. Therefore the need to take another means of transportation to complete that last mile. The cost is agreed between both parties when boarding the taxi. It is the only way to get to the air terminal, since there is no available means of public transport that serves the airport.

Future Extensions

It is expected that line 5, whose inauguration of its first station was in 2015, continues to expand to cover 13 km more. In the future final station of this route, users will be able to use the, also under construction, Guarenas-Guatire metro system. It will connect these localities, satellite cities, with the capital of the Caribbean country.

Line 6 is in the planning stage and will comprise two stations, which will connect the Zoologico station of line 2 with La Rinconada station, line 3. In this way, users can also reach the stations of the second line, without the need of getting to route 1 to do transfer. There are projects with the finality of bringing the Caracas Metro service to the sectors of El Hatillo and Prados del Este in the south of the city, but the relevant studies have not yet begun.

Tourism near the metro

The Ciudad Universitaria of Caracas, which integrates the Central University of Venezuela campus, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. Its spaces are full of art and culture everywhere, which invite the intergenerational encounter between students, Academics and visitors. The Aula Magna (Main Classroom) is an icon of the complex, where a multitude of theatrical performances are performed throughout the year. The Olympic Stadium witnesses the most exciting matches of national football, as well as the South American qualifiers. Accompanied by the also important University Stadium, where the baseball of the Caribbean country lives year after year, a sport extremely popular in the nation. Likewise, for plant lovers, the campus has a botanical garden dedicated to the study of flora, but which can be accessed by any visitor to enjoy the diversity it offers. To get to the Central University of Venezuela, just take the Caracas Metro on line 3 and exit at the Ciudad Universitaria station, in front of the stop is the entrance to the university.

Another must, is a visit to the famous boulevard of Sabana Grande in the city of Caracas, which can be accessed by the stations Plaza Venezuela, Sabana Grande and Chacaito of line 1, because they are distributed along the pedestrian path. In it, tourists and locals alike will enjoy sculptures, presentations by urban artists, food places, shopping centers, shops, and other options to satisfy leisure. It was recently restored, reason why it is in optimal conditions to entertain the Caraquenian afternoons.