Instituto de Ferrocarriles del Estado

The Instituto de Ferrocariles del Estado (IFE, or "Independent State Railways Institution") is a state-run organization of Venezuela that manages the railway systems of the country. Its headquarters are located in Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.

According to the 1999 Constitution its renovation is a national priority, with new infrastructure being added, including the first new above-ground train line constructed in Venezuela for more than 70 years, the Ezequiel Zamora Mass Transportation System inaugurated on October 15, 2006, by President Hugo Chávez.

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Railway Network

The Venezuelan network includes 682 km (424 mi) of rail in standard gauge.[1] The network covers the populated and production areas in the country, and is managed by IFE under various Regional Development Plans. There are also connections between Colombia and Brazil that link to the other countries of South America, although traffic in the border areas are affected by foreign policy and defence strategy.

IFE is the sole operator of trains in Venezuela, however, they have created various railway names assigned to different regions throughout the country.

Historically, much of the original Venezuelan network was designed in the 19th century in the Federalist period and under the administration of Antonio Guzmán Blanco, in order to open up the country for trade and earn foreign revenues. However, the first licenses were signed and revoked nine times before the first stretch was operating.[2] The first lines connected Caracas to its port of La Guaira and then Valencia in the 1870s–80s. Notable engineers associated with its original development include: John Grover and Robert Fairlie. Some of the later lines were designed by William A. Welch and Thomas Kavanagh (Caracas subway).

Rail transport in Venezuela was neglected and went into a major decline from the 1950s, with bus and road transport taking its place, just Caracas maintaining its 51 km (32 mi) of subway system and local railway.

The 1999 Constitution was a signal for a major reinvestment in the infrastructure of the state. Much of the renovation of the current Venezuelan railway network is still at the planning stage, with some already constructed and the rest to be built over a period of about 30 years.

Railway Branch Present Status Station Location
Ezequiel Zamora Caracas – Cúa passenger service on new electricifed lines since October 15, 2006[3] Libertador Simón Bolívar Caracas beside the Caracas Metro La Rinconada station. Federal District
Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda North Charallave Miranda State
Don Simón Rodríguez Charallave Sur Miranda State
General Ezequiel Zamora Cúa Miranda State
Puerto Cabello – La Encrucijada under construction and projected completion by late 2011 Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello Carabobo State
Naguanagua Northern Valencia suburb Carabobo State
San Diego North-eastern Valencia suburb Carabobo State
Guacara Eastern Valencia suburb Carabobo State
San Joaquín San Joaquín Carabobo State
Mariara Mariara Carabobo State
Maracay Maracay Aragua State
La Encrucijada between Cagua and Turmero Aragua State
La Encrucijada – Cúa planning stage La Victoria La Victoria Aragua State
Las Tejerías Las Tejerías Aragua State
La Encrucijada – San Juan de Los Morros planning stage Villa de Cura Villa de Cura Aragua State
San Juan de Los Morros San Juan de Los Morros Guárico State
Simón Bolívar Puerto Cabello – Barquisimeto currently operates freight trains, however, line and station renovation and modernization will allow passenger travel by the end of 2010 Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello Carabobo State
Morón Western Puerto Cabello Suburb Carabobo State
San Felipe San Felipe Yaracuy State
Urama Urama Yaracuy State
Chivacoa Chivacoa Yaracuy State
Yaritagua Yaritagua Yaracuy State
Barquisimeto Barquisimeto Lara State
Yaritagua – Acarigua – Turén currently under reconstruction and extension Acarigua Acarigua Portuguesa State
Turén Turén Portuguesa State
Norte Occidental (North Western) Morón – Riecito only freight services Morón Morón Carabobo State
Tucacas Tucacas Falcón State
Yaracal Yaracal Falcón State
Riecito Riecito Falcón State
Yaracal – Punto Fijo planning stage Coro Coro Falcón State
Punto Fijo Punto Fijo Falcón State
Norte Llanero (Northern Plains) Maturín – Anaco planning stage Maturín Maturín Monagas State
Anaco Anaco Anzoátegui State
Anaco – Tinaco under construction, expected completion by year-end 2012 Zaraza Zaraza Guárico State
Valle de la Pascua Valle de la Pascua Guárico State
El Sombrero El Sombrero Guárico State
Dos Caminos Dos Caminos Guárico State
Tinaco Tinaco Cojedes State
Tinaco – Barinas planning stage San Carlos San Carlos Cojedes State
Acarigua Acarigua Portuguesa State
Guanare Guanare Portuguesa State
Sabaneta Sabaneta Barinas State
Barinas Barinas Barinas State
Barinas – San Cristobál planning stage Barinitas Barinitas Barinas State
San Rafael del Piñal San Rafael del Piñal Táchira State
San Cristóbal San Cristóbal State Táchira
Centro Sur (South Central) San Juan de Los Morros – San Fernando de Apure reconstruction and extension to be completed by year-end 2011 for freight and passenger use San Juan de Los Morros San Juan de Los Morros Guárico State
Ortíz Ortíz Guárico State
Dos Caminos Dos Caminos Guárico State
Calabozo Calabozo Guárico State
Corozopando Corozopando Guárico State
Camaguán Camaguán Guárico State
San Fernando de Apure San Fernando de Apure Apure State
Chaguaramas – Caicara del Orinoco reconstruction and extension to be completed by year-end 2011 for freight and passenger use Chaguaramas Chaguaramas Guárico State
Las Mercedes Las Mercedes Guárico State
Santa Rita Santa Rita Guárico State
Cabruta Cabruta Guárico State
Caicara del Orinoco Caicara del Orinoco Bolívar State
Oriental (Eastern) Guanta – Naricual abandoned line, under study for upgrade Guanta Guanta Anzoátegui State
Naricual Naricual
Ciudad Guayana – Manicaure under construction Puerto Ordaz Ciudad Guayana Este Bolívar State
Maturín Maturín Monagas State
Manicaure Manicaure Sucre State
Anaco – Cúa planning stage Anaco Anaco Anzoátegui State
Barcelona Barcelona Anzoátegui State
El José El José Anzoátegui State
Puerto Píritu Puerto Píritu Anzoátegui State
Higuerote Higuerote Miranda State
Cúa Cúa Miranda State
Occidental (Western) Maracaibo – Sabana de Mendoza under construction Maracaibo beside a Maracaibo Metro station Zulia State
El Tablazo El Tablazo Zulia State
Santa Rita Santa Rita Zulia State
Cabimas Cabimas Zulia State
Ciudad Ojeda Ciudad Ojeda Zulia State
Lagunillas Lagunillas Zulia State
Bachaquero Bachaquero Zulia State
Mene Grande Mene Grande Zulia State
Sabana de Mendoza Sabana de Mendoza Trujillo State
Sabana de Mendoza – Barquisimeto planning stage Carora Carora Lara State
Barquisimeto Barquisimeto Lara State
Encontrados – Machiques planning stage Encontrados Encontrados Zulia State
Machiques Machiques Zulia State
Machiques – Maracaibo – Puerto Las Américas planning stage Maracaibo Maracaibo Zulia State
Puerto Las Américas Puerto Las Américas Zulia State
Región Guayana (Guayana region) San Fernando – Tucupita planning stage San Fernando de Apure San Fernando de Apure Apure State
Cabruta Cabruta Gúarico State
Caicara Caicara Bolívar State
Ciudad Bolívar Ciudad Bolívar Bolívar State
Ciudad Guayana Puerto Ordaz Bolívar State
Tucupita Tucupita Delta Amacuro State
Caicara – Puerto Ayacucho planning stage Puerto Ayacucho Puerto Ayacucho Amazonas State
Caracas – La Guaira Caracas – La Guaira planning stage Caracas La Rinconada Distrito Federal
Maiquetía Maiquetía (near the airport) Vargas State
La Guaira La Guaira by the seaport Vargas State
Recreacional (recreational) Parque Recreacional El Encanto reconstruction for passenger service by end of 2008 Los Teques Los Teques Miranda State

In May 2007 a maglev train was proposed to link Caracas to La Guaira and Simón Bolívar International Airport. A route is being studied prior to obtaining funding.[4]

Operational

Fully Updated

Caracas – Cúa Branch

After 70 years without major improvements to the Venezuelan railway system the first of an ambitious plan that proposes many new lines, in particular, the Caracas – Cúa one of many Tuy Valley cities a distance of 41 km (25 mi) was opened for public service on October 15, 2006.

The route is part of the Ezequiel Zamora railway axis starts from Caracas and ends in Cúa Miranda State. The main terminal is located next to the Caracas Metro (subway) line 3 La Rinconada Terminal Station.

This short North-South line can be passenger travelled in approximately, 30 minutes, the following are the names of the 4 stations and the estimated travel time from Caracas and then the additional time to the next station. Also there is a delay time before the train restarts the trip which can be adjusted by management policy.

Station Location Travel Time Wait Time
Libertador Simón Bolívar Caracas Federal District
Generalísimo Francisco de Miranda North Charallave Miranda State 17 min 2 min
Don Simón Rodríguez South Charallave Miranda State 4 min 2 min
General Ezequiel Zamora Cúa Miranda State 10 min

Modernization/Reconstruction

Puerto Cabello – Yaritagua – Barquisimeto Branch

The main branch of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 177 km (110 mi) east-west line where a full upgrade/restoration is in progress with a projected completion set for then end of 2010. This line connects Carabobo State, Yaracuy State and Lara State. The stations are as follows:

Yaritagua – Acarigua Branch

Another branch of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 113 km (70 mi) north-south line connection between the Yaritagua, Yaracuy State, Acarigua, Portuguesa State where a full upgrade restoration is in progress.

San Juan de los Morros – San Fernando de Apure Branch

A 252 km (157 mi) north-south line where a full upgrade/restoration is in progress with a projected completion set for then end of 2010. This line connects Guárico State and Apure State.

Services

The railway provides both freight and passenger service.

Freight

Between Puerto Cabello and Barquisimeto movement of loads over 3 million tons per month have been exceeded.

Branch Period Frequency
Puerto Cabello – Barquisimeto Monday to Monday 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. twice daily

Passenger

As of July 16, 2007 passenger service is provided only between the stations on the Caracas – Cúa Branch. The following table shows the train schedule:

Branch Period Frequency
Caracas – Cúa Monday to Friday 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. every 20 minutes
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. every 30 minutes
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. every 20 minutes
Saturday and holidays 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. every hour

There is no Sunday service and all times are subject to change depending on special events, system improvements and the decisions the managers may make.

Construction

Work in Progress

Puerto Cabello – La Encrucijada Branch

Another part of the Ezequiel Zamora railway axis has 108 km (67 mi) under construction is between the sea port city of Puerto Cabello Carabobo State and crossroads town of La Encrucijada Aragua State. 14 tunnels including the 7.8 km (4.8 mi) Bárbula Tunnel longest in South America and many bridges are required to connect between the various stations along this line. Construction has proceeded as planned with an opening date set for December 2011.

The new stations along the dominately east-west line under construction are found in

(*)These 2 are suburban cities of Valencia. Also only between the Naguanagua Station and Terminal Puerto Cabello Station the route has dramatically changed to a north-south direction. Also the terminal in La Encrucijada will provide easy access to the users from Cagua, Aragua State.

Chaguaramas – Las Mercedes – Cabruta – Caicara del Orinoco Branch

Another branch north-south line 201 km (125 mi) found mainly in Guarico State that will cross the Orinoco River and enter the Bolívar State.

Maracaibo – Sabana de Mendoza Branch

This 233 km (145 mi) will start in the capital city of Maracaibo Zulia State nearby the Maracaibo Metro (subway) station. The line will cross the mouth of Lake Maracaibo in a combination tunnel/bridge under construction in an east-west direction and after the El Tablazo stop the line follows a north-north-west to south-south-east direction. The stations are as follows:

Puerto Ordaz – Maturín – Manicuare Branch

This 320 km (199 mi) route will start from Ciudad Guyana Bolívar State, the Puerto Ordaz section and cross the Orinoco River to go south-north to reach Maturín, Monagas State and continue till it reaches the Sucre State where the line will run east-west until it reaches the deep sea water port of Manicuare.

Acarigua – Turén Branch

The completion of an extension of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 45 km (28 mi) north-south line connection between Acarigua, and Turén.

Tinaco – Anaco Branch

The first phase 468 km (291 mi) is part of the North Llanero railway axis (northern plains) an east-west line that will provide service among the following cities:

and work to be completed by 2012.

Planning/design stage

La Encrucijada – Cúa Branch

The completion of the connection from La Encrucijada to the Tuy Valley will be made at a later date.

Sabana de Mendoza – Barquisimeto Branch

A follow-up future east-west phase will connect Sabana de Mendoza with Barquisimeto Lara State.

San Juan de Los Morros – La Encrucijada Branch

Future expansion includes a north-south connection between San Juan de Los Morros and La Encrucijada Station.

Anaco – Maturín Branch

A separate phase for the North Llanero railway axis to be constructed at a later date will connect in an east-west direction Maturín Monagas State with Anaco Anzoátegui State.

Tinaco – San Cristóbal Branch

The full 1,100 km (684 mi) route, the North Llanero railway axis will be completed at a later date and will add services among the additional following cities:

Caicara – Puerto Ayacucho Branch

This north-south branch will connect Bolívar State to Amazonas State although a possible alternative would be to join San Fernando de Apure to Puerto Ayacucho.

San Fernando de Apure – Ciudad Bolívar – Ciudad Guayana – Tucupita Branch

This east-west route will connect Apure State, Guarico State, Bolivar State, Anzoategui State, Monagas State and Delta Amacuro State. Also this line will have stops in Cabruta and Caicara.

Caracas – La Guaira Branch

This dominately north-south route 50 km (31.1 mi) joining Federal District to Vargas State will provide access to and from Caracas and its International/National Airports and one of its major Seaports.

completion of this line is expected within 5 years after fund approval.

Railway links with adjoining countries

Similar Organizations

See also

References

  1. ^ CIA World Factbook – railways
  2. ^ [frrodriguez.web.wesleyan.edu/docs/working_papers/Anarchy_State_and_Dystopia.pdf Rodríguez and Gomolin1: Anarchy, State, and Dystopia: Venezuelan Economic Institutions before the Advent of oil]
  3. ^ Balfour Beatty Rail: Caracas – Tuy Medio Electrification project
  4. ^ Work on a Venezuelan electromagnetic train could be started in two months (in Spanish) ABN 10 May 2007]

External links

Urban Rail Systems in Venezuela

Caracas Metro | Guarenas / Guatire Metro | Los Teques Metro | Maracaibo Metro | Valencia Metro
Rail transport in South America
Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories