Medellín Metro Operator’s Emotional Farewell
- As its inception in 1995, the Medellín Metro has provided employment opportunities for locals, including university students through partnerships with the University of Antioquia Foundation.
- The Metro de Medellín attracts qualified and young personnel who often find better job opportunities after their studies, leading to a constant renewal of staff.
- Recently, a video surfaced showing a young operator being bid farewell by her colleagues on her last trip, with the San Antonio station in Barrio La Candelaría as...
Table of Contents
As its inception in 1995, the Medellín Metro has provided employment opportunities for locals, including university students through partnerships with the University of Antioquia Foundation.
The Metro de Medellín attracts qualified and young personnel who often find better job opportunities after their studies, leading to a constant renewal of staff.
Recently, a video surfaced showing a young operator being bid farewell by her colleagues on her last trip, with the San Antonio station in Barrio La Candelaría as her final destination.
The video, shared on social media, was captioned: You are a tram driver and you are entering San Antonio on your last tour after 4 years of service and they tell you by radio a farewell message.
In the recording, the driver is visibly moved by the gesture of her former colleagues. A message, broadcast through the cabin’s speakers, wished her well in her new job and highlighted her performance in her previous role:
On the part of the entire tram work team, we want to thank the driver Caro H. for the years of service, for their delivery, dedication and love every day. Thanks for providing and radiating light and joy to each day and each of us. We hope you have a good trip and many successes in everything that comes in your life. With love, your former work teams.
the Origin-Destino 2023 survey, conducted by the Metropolitan Area of the Aburrá Valley, revealed important shifts in the mobility habits of Medellín residents. The use of the Metro de Medellín has decreased in recent years, while other modes of transport, such as motorcycles, have become more popular.This trend is a concern for local authorities and transport system managers,who are seeking to understand the underlying causes.
The survey indicates that approximately 10.5 million daily trips are made in the Aburrá Valley. A considerable number of these trips are made by motorcycle, private vehicle, and bicycle. In Medellín,68% of people use motorcycles as their primary mode of transport,while 15% opt for bicycles and 17% for cars. This shift in mobility preferences has directly impacted the subway, which has seen its share of daily trips decrease from 16% in 2017 to 11% in 2023.
Tomás Elejalde, the Medellín Metro manager, presented figures related to the transport system. In 2023, the Metro recorded 308 million trips, below the projected 312 million. This represents a 6% decrease compared to expectations. Elejalde explained that while the system reached 94% of its plan, the reduction is significant compared to previous years.
Elejalde stated that the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in urban mobility patterns. The health crisis accelerated the shift of passengers to other modes of transport, such as motorcycles and private vehicles. He highlighted the ease of access to these modes, and also the increased use of mobility platforms, as reasons for this trend. Additionally, many users seek options that allow them to reach specific destinations not covered by the metro network.
Metro de Medellín: Your Top Questions Answered
What is the Metro de medellín?
The Metro de Medellín is a public transportation system in Medellín, Colombia, that began operations in 1995. It is an essential part of the city’s infrastructure. The system provides employment opportunities and attracts young personnel, frequently enough partnering with educational institutions like the University of antioquia Foundation.
Have there been recent changes in the Metro de Medellín?
Yes, there have been notable shifts in the metro’s usage. Recent data reveals a decrease in metro ridership, with other transportation methods like motorcycles becoming more popular. This trend is a notable concern for authorities.Tomás Elejalde, the Medellín Metro manager, presented figures indicating a 6% decrease in trips compared to projections in 2023, even though the system still achieved 94% of its plan.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Metro de Medellín?
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered urban mobility patterns in medellín. The health crisis sped up the transition of passengers to alternate transport modes,such as motorcycles and vehicles. Elejalde pointed out the ease of access to these modes, as well as the increased use of mobility platforms, as factors in this shift. Many users are seeking options that allow them to reach specific destinations not covered by the metro network.
How does the Metro de Medellín compare to Other Transport Modes?
The 2023 Origin-Destino survey shows a shift in Medellín’s transportation habits.While the Metro de Medellín continues to serve many riders, other modes of transport, such as motorcycles, have increased in popularity.
Here’s a comparison of transport usage in Medellín:
| Transport Mode | Percentage usage |
| ——————- | —————- |
| Motorcycles | 68% |
| Bicycles | 15% |
| Cars | 17% |
| Metro (2017) | 16% |
| Metro (2023) | 11% |