Rolling out Transantiago: How Cultural and Political Paradigms Bred Chaos in Chile’s Transportation Mega Project

• In Event: Panel #1: "Paradox and Progress? Mega Projects, Planning and Urban Impacts Across Latin American Cities"

Abstract

Since 2000, cities across Latin American have planned and implemented innovative, cost-effective transportation mega projects. In each city, the dramatically differing reception and outcomes have brought to light the crucial role of local politics and culture in shaping each project. In 2005, Chile’s national government began planning an integrated multimodal network to service Santiago’s metropolitan area spanning approximately 15,000 square kilometers and home to 6.7 million people. Transantiago, developed under President Ricardo Lagos and implemented by President Michelle Bachelet, has been hailed the most ambitious transport network project on the continent.
However, the project proved problematic from the start. It launched literally overnight, leaving passengers inadequately informed of the location and trajectory of new routes, and gaping holes in previous service areas. Compounding this chaos was a severe
shortage of buses, which led to overcrowding and service inconsistencies. Instead of a flexible and diversified modernization, millions now faced longer commutes in uncomfortable conditions. Santiago’s fragmented government only augmented the challenges. The metropolitan region has 37 mayors, each overseeing one comuna, making regional coordination very difficult. There were clear consequences: Immediately following rollout, President Bachelet’s popularity rating suffered dramatically, and Lagos’ bid for reelection in 2009 faltered. A transport minister was ousted, and citizens filed a class action lawsuit for harm incurred due to the project. This paper uses interviews, field research, and primary source data, in addition to extensive theoretical and comparative study, to interrogate the complex impact of Transantiago on the political, social, and spatial landscape of the city.

Authors

• Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, The New School

• Thomas Bassett, American Planning Association