Quito, Ecuador’s capital, has taken a significant leap in modernising its urban transport system with the official inauguration of its first underground train line last December.

Built by ACCIONA for £1.2million, the new underground line promises to revolutionise travel for both locals and tourists alike.

The new Line 1 underground stretches from Quitumbe in the south to El Labrador in the north, featuring fifteen strategically located stations: Quitumbe, Morán Valverde, Solanda, Cardenal de la Torre, El Recreo, La Magdalena, San Francisco, La Alameda, El Ejido, Universidad Central, La Pradera, La Carolina, Iñaquito, Jipijapa, and El Labrador.

These stations are designed to improve connectivity and reduce the time spent commuting across the city.

The construction of this ambitious infrastructure project saw the deployment of three impressive tunnel-boring machines, each over 9 metres tall and named “La Guaragua,” “La Carolina,” and “Luz de América.”

The completion of this line marks the beginning of an integrated public transportation system aimed at alleviating the city’s notorious traffic congestion, enhancing communication between different districts, and significantly shortening travel times.

The initiative is part of a broader plan to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly urban transport network in Quito. The new underground line is expected to serve approximately 400,000 passengers daily, a major step towards reducing the capital’s traffic woes.

The Quito City Council awarded the contract for this project in 2015 to the “Consorcio Línea 1 Metro de Quito,” a consortium that includes ACCIONA. The project, valued at $1,592million (£1.2million) involved constructing a 22-kilometre-long tunnel, fifteen new stations, as well as the necessary depots, workshops, and railway facilities.

Quito’s transformation is not limited to its transport system. The city is also witnessing a renaissance in contemporary architecture and hospitality.

The skyline has been reshaped by new developments, including the 32-story IQON tower designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group, which is now the city’s tallest building. This reflects a broader effort to evolve the ancient Andean city into a modern urban hub, balancing its rich historical heritage with cutting-edge design.

New accommodations such as the 151-room Go Quito Hotel, which opened in June 2023, are enhancing the city’s appeal. This hotel features a rooftop bar-restaurant, spa, sauna, pool, and airy rooms with spectacular views of the city.

Quito’s culinary scene is also on the rise, with innovative restaurants like Cardó, Aura, and Nuema making their mark. These eateries showcase Ecuadorian ingredients in creative ways, with Nuema’s chef and co-owner Pia Salazar earning the title of World’s Best Pastry Chef in both 2022 and 2023.