Tren Urbano — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Tren Urbano Information

Tren Urbano is a rapid transit system that serves the city of San Juan in Puerto Rico. The system is relatively new and began operations on 17^th December 2004 and presently has 1 line that serves 16 stations. The system has a total track length of 17.2 km (10.7 miles). The metro system is fully automated and it has an estimated average daily ridership of 43, 800 passengers. It is owned by Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works and is operated by Alternativa de Transporte Integrado (ATI) Siemens AG.

The San Juan Metro, also known as the Tren Urbano, serves approximately 40,000 passengers each day. However, it does not offer a 24-hour service, instead operating from 5:30 to 11:30 (M-D).

The Tren Urbano does not provide air conditioning and does not allow passengers to walk between platforms. Moreover, it does not feature driverless trains or screen doors on platforms. The trains operate at an average speed of 33km/h and can reach a maximum speed of 100km/h.

The fare for a journey on the Tren Urbano is $1.5. The entire operation is managed by Alternativa de Transporte Integrado (ATI) y Siemens AG.

For more details, please visit the San Juan Metro Official Website.

Tren Urbano Map

Map of Tren Urbano showing various stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download PDF.

Lines and Stations

Tren Urbano, the San Juan metro system, features stations without separating doors between the platforms and the tunnels. Many stations are equipped with elevators and wheelchair accessibility, as well as providing regular Wi-Fi connection. It takes approximately 30 minutes to traverse the entire route from Bayamón to Sagrado Corazón on the train.

The system consists of 16 stations distributed as follows: in the municipality of Bayamón are Bayamón (elevated), Deportivo (elevated), and Jardines Stations (ground level). Torrimar Station (ground level) is located in the municipality of Guaynabo. The route continues to the municipality of San Juan, which houses Martínez Nadal (ground level), Las Lomas (elevated), San Francisco (elevated), Centro Médico (ground level), Cupey (elevated), Río Piedras (underground), Universidad (underground), Piñero (elevated), Domenech (elevated), Roosevelt (elevated), Hato Rey (elevated), and Sagrado Corazón (elevated) Stations.

Connections with Other Systems

Maritime transport has always been a vital part of San Juan due to its extensive coastline. Similarly, buses are deemed as the most efficient means of transportation to reach every nook and corner of the city.

The most crucial connection of San Juan’s Tren Urbano is with Metro Urbano, a rapid transit bus system linking the Bayamón Station terminal to the town of Toa Baja, covering a distance of 16.5 kilometers. This system was inaugurated on September 16, 2012, and the articulated buses were replaced with a dedicated lane on the José de Diego Highway (PR-22).

Furthermore, the Integrated Transit Authority (ATI) oversees the two other transport systems beyond San Juan’s Tren Urbano. One is the Cataño Ferry service, which connects the municipality of Cataño with the islet of Old San Juan. The ferry operates non-stop, departing every half hour.

The other transport system is managed by the Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA). This service connects the residents of San Juan via 30 routes, including three express routes. The buses run from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm from Monday to Friday on most routes, and from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturdays and public holidays.

Connections with the Airport

While the Tren Urbano doesn’t directly serve Luis Muños Marín International Airport (the airport serving the Puerto Rican capital), there is a fast bus route available. The Express route E40 departs from Piñero Station and goes directly to Muñoz Marín Airport via the Mall of San Juan. Hence, passengers either arriving or departing can utilize the Tren Urbano service.

Timetable and Frequency

San Juan’s Tren Urbano operates six days a week, 365 days a year. The system commences operations at 5:50 am and runs continuously until 11:30 pm. According to the Integrated Transit Authority (ATI), the frequency of the trains during peak hours is every 8 minutes, and 16 minutes during off-peak hours.

From 6:20 am until 8:20 am: every 8 minutes
From 8:20 am until 4:20 pm: every 12 minutes
From 4:20 pm until 6:00 pm: every 10 minutes
From 6:00 pm until 11:30 pm: every 16 minutes

On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the train frequency decreases considerably to every 16 minutes.

Fares, Tickets, and Passes

The fares of San Juan’s Tren Urbano are well defined, with certain social groups receiving benefits. The Integrated Transit Authority of San Juan (ATI) offers users various ways to purchase a ticket.

The most common way to travel on the Tren Urbano is with a Regular Rate ticket priced at $1.50 US. This ticket allows passengers a two-hour time limit from entering the system, during which they can transfer to a bus from the Metropolitan Bus Authority (AMA). If the chosen bus route is E20, an additional charge of $0.50 US is required.

However, four significant social groups enjoy the benefit of using the system at half price. Students, individuals aged between 60 and 74, Medicare beneficiaries, and people with disabilities can travel on the Tren Urbano for a fare of $0.75 US..

Travel on the Tren Urbano is free for individuals over 75 years of age and children under six.

There are also different fares corresponding to the duration of ticket validity. These fares, with a specific time frame set on the ticket, permit unlimited use of the Tren Urbano and AMA buses. Four types of tickets fall into this category: a 1-day unlimited service ticket for $5.00 US, a weekly pass for $15.00 US, a 30-day pass for $50.00 US, and the most extensive, a 90-day pass for $90.00 US. These can be purchased from ticket machines located throughout the system and can be paid for with cash, debit cards, or Visa and MasterCard.

Full Ride!

Enjoy the full ride of Tren Urbano in the video provided below. This allows you to experience the journey from your comfort zone, providing a glimpse of the system’s infrastructure, stations, and the scenic views of the surrounding areas.

Park and Ride

An appealing feature of Tren Urbano is its provision of parking lots at the stations, allowing passengers to leave their vehicles and travel by train. Eight stations along the route have parking lots, offering 3,106 parking spaces. These are located at Bayamón, Torrimar, Jardines, Martínez Nadal, San Francisco, Sagrado Corazón, Cupey, and the Toa Baja Park & Ride (connected to the Metro Urbano departing from Bayamón Station).

Moreover, the system caters to cyclists by providing bicycle parking at six stations, some near Tren Urbano stations and others closer to bus stations. Bicycle parking is available at Sagrado Corazón, Capetillo, Bayamón, Piñero, Iturregui, Covadonga (Old San Juan), and Martínez Nadal.

Bici-Tren (Bicycle-Train)

Recognizing the vital role of bicycles in modern, eco-friendly cities, San Juan’s Tren Urbano offers the Bici-Tren pass to its users.

This service allows passengers to take their bicycles on the train. To obtain a Bici-Pass permit, one must apply at Río Piedras station between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. The requirements include attendance at a course outlining the rules for bringing a bicycle on the train, being at least 18 years old (or having permission from a parent, guardian, or representative), and providing an ID-size photo. Users must sign the rules as a commitment to compliance.

During rush hour (7:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm), up to two bicycles can be transported in a carriage. During off-peak hours as well as on weekends and public holidays, up to four bicycles are permitted. Foldable bicycles are allowed at all times.

Future Expansion

Numerous expansion plans for Tren Urbano range from simple projects, like creating new stations within the system, to more complex undertakings, like establishing connections with new transport systems covering other parts of Puerto Rico, also known as the Island of Enchantment.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico (DTOP) is responsible for planning these expansions. Phase 1A, the first stage, involves extending two stations from the current Sagrado Corazón station and creating two new stations: San Mateo and Minillas.

Other proposed expansions include a new line extending from Río Piedras Station to the municipality of Carolina, and a plan for a northern city line connecting the new Minillas station to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and Old San Juan. There’s also the Tren Liviano de San Juan (San Juan Light Train), a project that will connect all of Old San Juan to the Tren Urbano station at Sagrado Corazón and the rest of the city via a tramway.

Finally, a railway system is under construction in the municipality of Caguas, aiming to connect with Tren Urbano at Cupey Station. This would facilitate railway connections between the city of San Juan and the southern part of the island. Plans also exist for trains to connect the island’s most important populations with the Tren Urbano.

Advice

While the Tren Urbano is quite user-friendly, it’s crucial to be aware of the system’s operational hours, particularly the closing time of 11:30 pm. If you find yourself out past this time, you may need to rely on taxis, which could be costlier than expected.

If you’re planning to connect with the AMA bus system using a previously purchased Regular Rate ticket, keep in mind the two-hour transfer limit. If this time expires, you’ll need to purchase a new ticket to re-enter the system.

Interesting facts

San Juan’s Tren Urbano is the only system of its kind in Puerto Rico and was the first in the Caribbean.
Many of the stations are adorned with artwork created by local Puerto Rican artists.
As many of the stations are elevated, appreciating the system’s architecture is more straightforward.
Generally, passenger volume and traffic are low, resulting in a lower frequency of trains.

What to see from the Tren Urbano

San Juan’s Tren Urbano is often considered a tourist attraction in its own right. This isn’t just because of the architectural beauty of its stations or the artworks that embellish its walls. The primary allure comes from the sweeping city views that passengers can enjoy, thanks to the elevated or ground-level positioning of most of the stations. That’s why many tourists recommend taking a ride on the Tren Urbano, even without a specific destination in mind.

Here are a few notable sights you can see from the Tren Urbano:

The Financial District of San Juan: If you disembark at Hato Rey Station, you’ll be near the Milla de Oro de San Juan, a central part of San Juan’s Financial District. This area is home to many of the island’s major banks and financial groups, housed within towering buildings that create a striking urban landscape.

José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum: This popular venue for concerts and performances is conveniently located next to Hato Rey Station.

University of Puerto Rico: Close to Universidad Station, you’ll find the largest campus of the University of Puerto Rico, which hosts many educational centres across the island. A notable attraction here is the clock tower, designed by architect Rafael Carmoega. Known simply as “La Torre,” this landmark has become an icon of the student movements that have originated at this university.

Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium: Located near Deportivo Station, this stadium is a key site for soccer, a sport that is growing in popularity on the island despite baseball being the most traditional sport. The local team, Bayamón F.C., plays here.

Francisco Oller Museum: A short four-meter walk from Bayamón Station will bring you to the political centre of this municipality. Among its plazas and historical sites, you’ll find the Francisco Oller Museum, located next to the Plaza de Recreo. Initially built in 1907 as the mayor’s office, this museum is now a cherished local landmark.