Following a fire that affected a train at the Santa Isabel station on Line 5, Metro de Santiago President Patricio Rey confirmed that the historic NS-74 trains will be permanently phased out by 2030, according to an interview with Diario Financiero.
The damaged train is one of 24 NS-74 units still in service out of a total network fleet of roughly 300 trains. Introduced in the mid-1970s, these aging units have faced heightened scrutiny following the recent incident, though executive leadership maintains that the fleet operates with robust upkeep.
Operational History and Safety Measures of NS-74 Trains
Despite the recent fire and ongoing scrutiny, Patricio Rey defended the operational history of the 1970s-era equipment. According to the state-owned enterprise’s president, the units have operated for 50 years with a very high reliability rate thanks to permanent maintenance and technical review processes carried out by Metro.
“Tenemos una operación de mantención súper robusta,” stated Rey, emphasizing the rigorous upkeep of the fleet. While acknowledging that it is impossible to guarantee an episode like the Santa Isabel station incident will never happen again, management insists the units remain generally very safe while the phased retirement plan moves toward 2030.
Did You Know? The damaged vehicle belonged to a shrinking group of just 24 operational NS-74 convoy units remaining out of Metro de Santiago’s total park of approximately 300 trains.
Investigation Into the Santa Isabel Station Fire
The fire incident occurred at the Santa Isabel station, which currently remains closed with no train stops while authorities investigate the root causes. Patricio Rey pointed out that only 28% of registered incidents across the Metro network originate from internal faults, while external factors account for the remainder.
Because the majority of system disruptions stem from external sources, leadership maintains that the broader transit network adheres to high safety and maintenance standards. Commuters can expect the older fleet units to be gradually pulled from circulation over the remainder of the decade as part of the scheduled horizon of retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the NS-74 trains be permanently retired?
According to Metro de Santiago President Patricio Rey, the historical NS-74 trains will leave service definitively by 2030 through a gradual retirement process.
What caused the recent incident at Santa Isabel station?
The causes of the fire remain under investigation. The station continues to stay closed with no train stops while authorities review the event.
How many NS-74 trains are still operating?
There are 24 NS-74 convoy units still in service, out of a total network park of approximately 300 trains.
What measures do you think transit operators should prioritize when balancing the use of historical fleets with modern safety demands?
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