The Chilean capital of Santiago is served by a rubber tired metro network. In 1996, the three-line metro carried a total of 178 million passengers, a high figure for a city with a population of five million. The first line opened in 1975, followed by the first section of Line 2 in 1978. With the completion of Line 5, the network now totals 42.5 km serving 54 stations. When the metro is finished, it is expected to run 87 km.

By 2015, extensions of Lines 1, 2 and 5 are planned. Three new lines (3, 4 and 6) are also envisaged, plus a cross-city Metrotren suburban corridor on existing main line tracks.  27 meters below Line 5's new Quinta Normal terminus is a commuter rail station which will serve part of the existing commuter rail network, which is also being built out. A third commuter line, referred to as an interurban, is also on the drawing boards and is known as the Tren del Rio, or River Train.

A 33 km Line 4 began construction in October 2002. Completion will be in the latter half of 2005. -  Source: Tunnelbuilder.com

Line 2 from Recoleta-Independencia is sometimes referred to as a light rail line, or tren ligero, but more resembles a full metro.  A light rail line from Cistern to the Seat of Maipú was announced in May, 2001. Two other light rail lines are also planned from the Line 2 terminus at Cerro Blanco.

Photos from the Santiago Metro 1996 annual report

Click on the image for a larger image. Duh!

A new page on the Santiago Metro
Another page on the Santiago Metro, in Portuguese
Photo of new articulated metro tren
A fact filled, image filled page from Railway Technology
Official Home Page
Unofficial home page from Eduardo Guzmán
Chilitrennes
 

Image from Alsthom's site