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Dataset of Suburban Passenger Railways in Latin America: 2018

By Transport Division (VPS/INE/TSP)

The Dataset of Suburban Passenger Railways in Latin America (2018) compiles detailed information on metro systems and suburban rail networks across the region. It offers insights into infrastructure, ridership, coverage, and investment trends shaping urban mobility.

This dataset includes information on the subway and metro systems in Latin America, highlighting the scale and performance of major city networks. It also provides country-level data on passenger trains in Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina.

Researchers, policymakers, and transport planners can use these data to analyze: - The evolution of suburban and metro rail services across Latin America.
- The contribution of rail infrastructure to sustainable urban transport.
- Investment patterns and service efficiency among major regional systems.

By centralizing rail and metro indicators, this dataset supports evidence-based decision-making to expand safe, efficient, and low-carbon public transportation in the region.

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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/zuue0frh
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Related Knowledge Product
Citation

Kohon, Jorge (2023). Dataset of Suburban Passenger Railways in Latin America: 2018. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/zuue0frh
Published date 2023-05-03
Modified date 2026-08-26
Tags/Keywords Database · Passengers · Railways · Suburban
Language
  1. English
Temporal coverage 2018-2018
Country
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Costa Rica
Mexico
Uruguay
Venezuela
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Kohon, Jorge
Inter-American Development Bank
Data collection type Observational Data
Statistical type Panel Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What is the Dataset of Suburban Passenger Railways in Latin America?

This dataset provides a comprehensive overview of suburban and metro systems in Latin America, detailing infrastructure, operations, ridership, and investment patterns across major cities and countries in the region.

Which countries are included in the dataset?

The dataset includes data on passenger trains in Chile, Mexico passenger trains, Uruguay passenger trains, trains in Costa Rica, trains in Venezuela, trains in Brazil, and trains in Argentina, representing the largest suburban and metro systems in the region.

What types of data does the dataset contain?

It compiles information on:
- Train network length and coverage
- Ridership levels and passenger flows
- Service frequency and operational performance
- Investment and funding structures
- Public and private sector participation in railway infrastructure

Why is this dataset important?

The data highlight how subway and metro systems in Latin America contribute to sustainable urban mobility, offering insight into how governments can expand and modernize public transport while reducing congestion and emissions.

How can researchers or policymakers use this dataset?

The dataset can be used to:
- Compare metro systems in Latin America across cities and countries
- Evaluate the performance and efficiency of passenger train services
- Analyze public investment in rail transport
- Support planning for low-carbon and inclusive transport policies

Does the dataset include historical data?

Yes. The dataset focuses on the year 2018 but also provides context from earlier studies, enabling comparisons of how suburban and metro systems have evolved across Latin America.

What publication is this dataset associated with?

This dataset accompanies the IDB publication Ferrocarriles Suburbanos en América Latina, which examines the development of suburban and metro rail systems across the region. The report analyzes infrastructure gaps, financial performance, investment priorities, and opportunities for modernization in Latin American urban transport networks.

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