Colombia’s capital will soon have its first metro system. With construction already underway, Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro is scheduled to open in 2028 and will provide millions of residents and visitors with a new way to get around. To ensure excellent access throughout, our team in Colombia will provide all the elevators and escalators for Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro’s 16 new elevated stations.
From high above the city, on the summit of Mount Monserrate, you can see all of Bogotá. The densely populated city spreads from the foot of the mountain in the east to the Bogotá River in the west. It currently takes roughly an hour on public transport to get from one side to the other – depending on the traffic, that is.
But soon the Bogotanos will have a new way to get across the city – one that will reduce travel time to an estimated 27 minutes.
Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro will be the first line of the Colombian capital’s first metro system, providing a fast, reliable, and modern transit service that will run on an elevated viaduct stretching 24 kilometers across the city. Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro will have 16 elevated stations and is projected to transport over one million passengers per day.
The fully automatic, driverless railway system will integrate with the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network at 10 of its stations, helping to reduce congestion and improve mobility across the city.
“We’re incredibly proud to provide our vertical mobility solutions for this historic project," says Vikén Martarian, responsible for the Americas and Escalators on Schindler’s Group Executive Committee. “This project will benefit millions of people who live, work in, and visit Bogotá. Our elevators and escalators will help keep them moving smoothly through the stations.”
Our team in Colombia will be the sole vertical mobility provider for all the 16 stations on Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro, delivering high performance mid-rise elevators and escalators specifically designed for the heavy duty of public transport.
“We know Bogotá’s commuters deserve the very best – and that’s exactly what we’ll deliver,” says Luis Mesa, our Project Director. “Every elevator and escalator will be installed with precision, care, and national pride. The Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro couldn't be in better hands when it comes to vertical transportation.”
Every one of our elevators and escalators will be connected to our Technical Operations Center (TOC) in Medellín, allowing them to be remotely monitored 24/7. By being able to continuously monitor units and view data without needing to be on-site, potential issues can be dealt with before they become a problem. This helps to maximize unit uptime and keep passengers moving smoothly through the stations.
Additionally, our customer will also have access to information on the status of all the elevators and escalators, via Schindler ActionBoard – our digital platform that provides real-time updates and actionable insights.
“Our team of over 20 experts spent countless hours perfecting every technical detail to understand the client's needs and deliver the best solution available,” says Jose Luis Rodriguez, Head of New Installations. “Today, I can say with pride that this project is a reality thanks to the heart and soul of every Colombian who contributed.”
To ensure that the highest standards are continually met throughout the project, our team in Colombia are using two strategic tools that help make a significant difference: Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) analysis.
BIM is a process that provides a single digital representation of a project. This allows different teams and disciplines to work from the same masterplan and coordinate throughout the lifecycle of a project – enhancing precision and saving time, energy, and materials. To support our team in Colombia, two of our global BIM experts visited our Medellín office to share knowledge and train the team.
It’s a huge benefit to be part of a global network of experts when it comes to a project of this scale,” explains Mauricio Gil, our Head of Latin America South. “Our teams know they can always rely on expert support if needed.”
RAMS is a quantitative modeling technique used to predict the ongoing performance of each unit. RAMS analysis provides guidance and information required to support decisions related to the design and operation of an asset throughout its life.
“This is where precision meets purpose,” says Aixa Ardila, RAMS Specialist. “Coming from the aviation industry, where RAMS is a cornerstone of safety and continuity, I’m thrilled to bring that same discipline to Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro system.”
The Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro system’s design and implementation reflect the Colombia’s capital’s growing ambition to improve its infrastructure and the quality of life for its residents. Once operational, Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro will reduce travel times and ease traffic congestion. To ensure each station is accessible for all passengers, every elevator our team is installing is designed for people with reduced mobility, with features such as easily accessible control buttons and zero-step access.
“Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro is more than just an infrastructure project, it's a symbol of transformation, sustainability, and inclusion for Bogotá and Colombia,” says Mauricio. “It’s proof that Schindler Colombia has the talent, the passion, and the technological power to take on challenges of global scale.”