State Railways Institution
IAFE, Instituto Autónomo de Ferrocariles del Estado (Independent State Railways Institution) is an organization of the state that manage the railway systems of the country, such as, Ezequiel Zamora Mass Transportation System inaugurated on October 15, 2006 by the President of the Republic, Hugo Chávez. The headquarters are located in Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
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 miles) was opened for public service on October 15th, 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 (106 miles) 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:
- Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State;
- Morón, Carabobo State;
- San Felipe, Yaracuy State;
- Urama , Yaracuy State;
- Chivacoa, Yaracuy State;
- Yaritagua, Yaracuy State and;
- Barquisimeto, Lara State.
Another branch of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 113km (69 miles) north-south line connection between the Yaritagua, Yaracuy State, Acarigua, Portuguesa State where a full upgrade restoration is in progress.
A 252 km (150 miles) north-south line where a full upgrade/restoration is in progress with a projected completion set for then end of 2010. This line connects Guarico State and Apure State.
Services
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-Friday | 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | every 20 minutes |
| 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | every hour | ||
| 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | every 20 minutes | ||
| Saturday and holidays | 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 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 (65 miles) 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 (4.9 miles) 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
- La Encrucijada, Aragua State;
- Maracay, Aragua State;
- Mariara, Carabobo State;
- San Jaoquin, Carabobo State;
- *San Diego, Carabobo State;
- *Naguanagua, Carabobo State;
- Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State
(*)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.
Chaguaramas - Las Mercedes - Cabruta - Caicara del Orinoco Branch
Another branch north-south line found mainly in Guarico State that will cross the Orinoco River and enter the Bolívar State.
Maracaibo - Sabana de Mendoza Branch
This 233 km (140 miles) 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:
- Maracaibo, Zulia State;
- El Tablazo, Zulia State;
- Santa Rita, Zulia State;
- Cabimas, Zulia State;
- Ciudad Ojeda, Zulia State;
- Lagunillas, Zulia State;
- Bachaquero, Zulia State;
- Mene Grande, Zulia State;
- Sabana de Mendoza, Trujillo State.
Puerto Ordaz - Maturín - Manicuare Branch
This 320 km (200 miles) 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 Manicaure.
The completion of an extension of the Simón Bolívar railway axis is a 45km (30 miles) north-south line connection between Acarigua, and Turén.
The first phase 468 km (272 miles) is part of the North Llanero railway axis (northern plains) an east-west line that will provide service among the following cities:
- Anaco, Anzoátegui State;
- Zaraza, Guárico State;
- Valle de la Pascua, Guárico State;
- El Sombrero, Guárico State;
- Dos Caminos, Guárico State;
- Tinaco, Cojedes State,
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 1100 km (660 miles) route, the North Llanero railway axis will be completed at a later date and will add services among the additional following cities:
- San Carlos, Cojedes State;
- Acarigua, Portuguesa State;
- Guanare, Portuguesa State;
- Sabaneta, Barinas State;
- Barinas, Barinas State;
- Barinitas, Barinas State;
- San Rafael del Piñal, Táchira State;
- San Cristóbal, Táchira State.
Caicara - Puerto Ayacucho Branch
This 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 route will connect Apure State, Bolivar State, Anzoategui State, Monagas State and Delta Amacuro State. Also this line will have stops in Cabruta and Caicara.
Similar Organizations
- RENFE (Spanish)
- SNCF (French)
- SNCB (Belgian)
- NS (Netherlands)
- British Rail (English)
- MNCW (American)
- Deutsche Bahn AG (German)
- Japan Railway (Japanese)
- Korail (South Korean)
- Italian State Railways (Italian)
- Norges Statsbaner (Norwegian)