Colombian President Takes Test Ride on Bogotá Metro Line 1 Train

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 2, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella took a test ride on the metro train of the Bogotá Metro Line 1 project. Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán, along with representatives from the Colombia's Ministry of Transportation, Bogotá Metro Company, the Inter-American Development Bank, and project leaders participated in the event.

This was de la Espriella's first inspection of Bogotá Metro Line 1 since assuming office as President of Colombia in August. During the visit, de la Espriella rode the metro train operating in UTO (Unattended Train Operation) fully automatic driverless mode, learning in detail about the project's construction progress and technologies such as train kinetic energy recovery and fully automatic driverless operation. He highly commended the train's level of intelligence and smooth riding experience, while also expressing gratitude to the project team, represented by China Harbour Engineering Company, for their diligent efforts on the project.

De la Espriella stated that the on-site inspection allowed him to truly see that the construction progress of Bogotá Metro Line 1 has exceeded 81%, with 17 trains already delivered to the site, and that project construction is accelerating. For over 80 years, the citizens of Bogotá have harbored the dream of a metro system. Now, as the viaducts continue to extend and trains run on the tracks, the long-held aspiration of this city is becoming a tangible reality, and the project is realizing one of the greatest dreams in the capital's history. De la Espriella emphasized that the Colombian government's commitment to the Bogotá Metro will be fully honored, ensuring the continued advancement of this high-quality project that benefits the public, and supporting its construction with concrete actions. Furthermore, Bogotá will develop a more comprehensive metro network in the future, with urban rail transit construction goals advancing from completing the first metro line toward building a complete rail transit network.

Since the project's implementation, China Harbour Engineering Company has worked alongside builders from both countries to advance the project, introducing China's accumulated technology and experience in urban rail transit, equipment manufacturing, and large-scale infrastructure construction to Colombia, earning repeated praise from the mayor and citizens. The President's test ride marks a significant milestone in the construction of Bogotá Metro Line 1, fully reflecting the new Colombian government's high regard for and firm support of the project, further strengthening the confidence of all parties in the project's successful completion and operation. In the future, as metro trains carry citizens through Bogotá, this rail transit line, jointly built by Chinese and Colombian builders, will serve as an important testament to bilateral cooperation, development promotion, and the enhancement of people's livelihoods.

On the same day, representatives attending the 2026 Inter-American Development Bank Mayors' Meeting in Colombia also visited the Bogotá Metro Line 1 project and took a test ride on the train. The meeting brought together leaders from over 50 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Bogotá Mayor Galán, along with senior officials from the Inter-American Development Bank and the Colombian government, accompanied the visit.