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Author: Subject: Tijuana-Tecate train in the works
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[*] posted on 2-28-2006 at 12:08 AM
Tijuana-Tecate train in the works

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20060227-9...

70-mile run to serve commuters, tourists
By Pablo Jaime Sainz
February 27, 2006

TIJUANA ? A passenger train that would connect Tijuana with Tecate could begin operations by the end of the year.

On a recent weekend, the ?Tren Tur?stico,? as the line will be called, made its first journey for the media and public officials from both sides of the border.

The railroad will serve people who commute daily between the two cities and will be a tourist attraction for Americans visiting the area, said Eduardo Zamudio Ram?rez, general manager of the Tijuana-Tecate Short Rail Line Administration, the state government agency in charge of the project.

Zamudio said the project has been in the works for five years in coordination with the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo.

?This is the result of a binational effort . . . that will bring about a cultural interchange as well as an economic benefit,? Zamudio said.

The route, spanning about 70 miles, is an existing rail line now used to transport freight.

It will depart from a station near the San Ysidro border crossing, stop at Los Pinos and El Florido neighborhoods in eastern Tijuana, then continue to Tecate, where the state government has rehabilitated an old train station that stood abandoned for 40 years.

?We have in mind two types of riders,? Zamudio said.

On weekdays, the schedule will concentrate on providing service to workers and students who commute between Tijuana and Tecate. On weekends, departure times will follow tourist-friendly schedules between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Zamudio said passenger cars and stations will have personnel to indicate points of interest between the two cities for tourists.

The initial investment by the Baja California government will be 15 million pesos, about $1.5 million. Eventually, the passenger train is projected to be self-sufficient with a proposed one-way fare of $5, Zamudio said.

At first, service will be provided by two historic train cars. In the future, the railway plans to buy cars similar to the San Diego trolley.

The goal is to give riders an alternative to buses between the two cities.

Some Tecate residents questioned the plan.

?A train is always going to be slower than a bus,? Santiago P?rez said while he waited for a SuburBaja bus, which offers service between Tijuana and Tecate. And bus service at about $2 per trip is less expensive.

Others supported the idea.

?Buses take around two hours to get to Tecate,? Lupita Hidalgo said as she waited at the SuburBaja bus station. ?The traffic makes them take a long time to get there, especially since the buses stop at every corner. I think the train is going to be faster because it won't stop as often.?
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