A study by ARESEP revealed that although users use the train service due to its speed and those who travel the most are workers and students, they claim that they do not feel comfortable with the service.
For users, the high temperature of the wagons, security in the stops and availability of seats are some of the important issues to improve.
The entity carried out the research on Pavas, Heredia, Cartago and Belén routes. In this study, Alajuela-Heredia route was not included as it was not operating at the time of the data collection.
In this analysis, a digital map of each route was elaborated, operational characteristics were collected, the monthly passenger demand was determined and the satisfaction of the users was evaluated.
A survey was conducted among 437 train service users. 62% of respondents are aged 13 to 25 years old, which means that student and working population use this system the most.
Users indicated that what satisfies them about the train service is its punctuality, schedules, space conditions at stops, cleaning, general state of the wagons. In addition, they indicate that aspects such as access for people with disabilities or elderly, the temperature, safety in the stops and availability of seats inside the wagons need to be improved.
Cartago-San José route is the most wagon-crowded station (83%), followed by Pavas (79%); Heredia (62%) and Belén (45%).
In Belén route, the most used stations are the ones located in the Pacific and the Contraloría,Jacks factories and Demasa.
On Cartago route, the stations located near university centers are the ones that generate more influx of passengers (UCR, U Latina, UACA) and the College of Engineers.
Towards Heredia, the main points are the Atlantic, Cuatro Reinas and Santa Rosa stations.
Between Pavas and Curridabat, the most busy points are La Sabana, Contraloría, Cementerio, Pavas center, Jacks and AyA stations.