Transpinula is a BRT system in Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala. The first two lines opened on January 29, 2022.[1] The fleet consists of modern Torino G7 Volvo buses made by Marcopolo in Brazil.[2] The buses have fixed stops and mostly operate in mixed-traffic. Both stops and vehicles are guarded by municipal police. The stations are much smaller compared to the Transmetro stations in neighbouring Guatemala City. However they are elevated so as to be level with the floor of the bus. Passengers may access stations via stairs or ramps and the stations feature glass walls protecting passengers from the edge of the platforms. Security is provided by Santa Catarina Pinula's transit police. Officers in yellow vests are situated at most stations on the route.
| TransPinula | |
|---|---|
 Logo | |
 TransPinula unit | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | Santa Catarina Pinula municipality |
| Locale | Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala |
| Transit type | Bus rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 2 |
| Line number | Line 1, Line 2 |
| Number of stations | 22 |
| Website | scp |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 29 January 2022 |
| Operator(s) | Municipalidad de Santa Catarina Pinula (Santa Catarina Pinula Municipality) |
| Number of vehicles | 30 |
| Technical | |
| Average speed | 60 km/h (40 mph) |
History
editTransPinula was heavily inspired in both design and operations by the Transmetro in Guatemala City. In 2020, the mayors of Guatemala City and Santa Catarina Pinula signed an agreement to collaborate on a new BRT system that would feed into the Transmetro while serving the Santa Catarina Pinula municipality.[3] This new system would take just under 2 years to come to fruition when the system opened in January of 2022. The system opened with 2 routes, which both overlapped between the Transmetro Connection at Hangares station and the Cañadas de Elgin neighbourhood. Service has since seen some expansion using electric mini-buses that connect neighbourhoods that are not within walking distance to a TransPinula station.[4]
Fare payments
editFares on the TransPinula are significantly more expensive than its neighbouring services. Each trip costs GTQ 5.00, compared to Transmetro's GTQ 1.00, but on par with Rutas Express which also charges GTQ 5.00.[5] However, in contrast to the aforementioned system, fares can be paid either by contactless payment or cash.[6]
Routes
editRoute 1 "El Carmen"
edit"El Carmen" or "Route 1" stars from a loop at Cuchilla Del Carmen, which also serves as the starting point for Route 2. The line travels through the south side of Santa Catarina Pinula, reaching Hincapie Avenue, and traveling north to Hangares station to connect with Transmetro's line 13. The same alignment is followed on its return.
Branches
edit| Route | Destinations |
|---|---|
| R1 | El Carmen / Hangares Station |
Stations
edit| Connecting Lines | Station Name |
|---|---|
| R1 | Rotonda Cuchilla Del Carmen |
| R2 | |
| R1 | La Ceiba |
| R1 | Sector Norte |
| R1 | Tres Marias |
| R1 | Paisajes |
| R1 | Salon El Carmen |
| R1 | Mercado El Carmen |
| R1 | La Bendicion |
| R1 | Plataninas |
| R1 | Sector Sur |
| R1 | Lomas |
| R1 | Los Olivos |
| R1 | Hangares |
| R2 | |
| L13 (Transmetro) |
Route 2 "Cuchilla Del Carmen"
edit"Route 2" or "Cuchilla Del Carmen" was the second route to begin operations with the TransPinula system. The route runs from the loop at Cuchilla Del Carmen in Santa Catarina Punila, then travels through the north side of the city until it reaches Hincapie Avenue. It then travels north to reach Hangares station and connect to Transmetro's line 13. The same alignment is followed on its return.
Branches
edit| Route | Destinations |
|---|---|
| R2 | Cuchilla Del Carmen / Hangares Station |
Stations
edit| Connecting Lines | Station Name |
|---|---|
| R1 | Rotonda Cuchilla Del Carmen |
| R2 | |
| R2 | Ranchito |
| R2 | Polideportivo |
| R2 | Cento |
| R2 | Buenos Aires |
| R1 | Hangares |
| R2 | |
| L13 (Transmetro) |
Mini-bus Service
editTransPinula also operates 2 mini-bus routes, using 100% battery-electric buses. The routes mainly operate in zone 2 of Santa Catarina Pinula, and along the CA-1. This service is free and connects to some stops along the main TransPinula service.
Branches
edit| Route | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Mini-bus 1 | Municipalidad de Santa Catarina Pinula / Parque Central via Estadio Pinula Contreras |
| Mini-bus 2 | Manzano la Libertad / Carretera a El Salvador |
References
edit- ^ "TransPinula pone a funcionar a sus primeras dos rutas". Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Transpinula: llegan los primeros 30 buses a Santa Catarina Pinula". Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Transporte público: a estas localidades beneficiará el proyecto intermunicipal Transpinula". 24 September 2020. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Así funcionarán los buses eléctricos de Santa Catarina Pinula". 25 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Solo la pandemia aceleró la modernización del transporte público". 28 January 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ "Así funcionará el Transpinula que conectará con el Transmetro". Retrieved 2023-04-02.