Trains for Chile 2050: More than 100 people connected in dialogue about the national railway future
The webinar "Challenges and opportunities of a national railway policy" brought together representatives from the railway, logistics, academic and technical sectors to open a long-term conversation about the role of the railway in Chile.
The webinar "Trains for Chile 2050: Challenges and opportunities of a national railway policy" It brought together more than 100 people connected simultaneously in a conversation about the role that the railway can play in the future development of the country.
The event brought together representatives from the railway, logistics, academic and technical sectors, with the aim of opening a dialogue on the need to move towards a long-term national railway policy, capable of integrating mobility, logistics, sustainability, infrastructure and territorial development.
The meeting was moderated by Lisette Cerda Silva, President of AEXA USM Santiago, and included opening remarks from Santiago Vera BustamantePresident of the NGO Chilean Railway Institute – Trains for Chile. Subsequently, Fabian Figueroa Valle, founder of Trains for Chile 2050, presented the proposal for a National Railway Policy for Chile, which served as the basis for subsequent dialogue.
During his presentation, Fabián addressed the main gaps in the Chilean railway system: institutional fragmentation, obsolescence of the 1931 General Railway Law, low sustained investment in railway infrastructure, and the need for a state vision that transcends political cycles.
He also highlighted that currently only about 4% of infrastructure investment is allocated to railways, reflecting a significant gap compared to other countries and international standards.
The proposal presented aims to move towards a new institutional architecture, with a national railway authority, long-term planning, periodic reviews, and greater integration between passenger and freight transport, logistics, territory, and infrastructure. Within this framework, the need to modernize the criteria for the social evaluation of projects, incorporate positive externalities, and understand the railway as a strategic infrastructure for the country's competitiveness was highlighted.
Expert panel: "Towards a modern railway system"
Following the main presentation, the expert panel took place, comprised of Jorge Inostroza Sánchez, former President of EFE; David Fernandez LarraguibelGeneral Manager of the Antofagasta Railway (FCAB); and Rodrigo Rojas Toledo, General Manager of deLogística Group.
The panel addressed four main areas: diagnosis, opportunity, obstacles, and action. In the conversation The analysis focused on why Chile stopped considering the railway as a state policy.Why is it strategic again today, what barriers continue to hinder its development, and what decisions should be made in the coming years to move towards a modern, integrated, and leading railway system.
One of the panel's points of consensus was that the railway challenge cannot be understood simply as a collection of isolated projects. Participants agreed on the need for governance, planning, institutional continuity, and greater public-private partnerships.
He provided a historical and institutional overview of the decline in railway continuity in Chile, noting that for decades the system faced low levels of investment, operational deterioration, and a loss of competitiveness compared to road transport. He also warned that railway expansion requires strengthening control, safety, maintenance, training, and risk management systems.
He emphasized the technical and operational dimensions, especially in freight transport. He pointed out that, unlike other countries where rail plays a central role in logistics, its participation in Chile remains low. Along these lines, he raised the need to open up opportunities for private sector participation, improve project evaluation, and incorporate criteria such as productivity, logistical efficiency, and positive externalities.
From a logistics and sectoral coordination perspective, he emphasized that rail must be better integrated into distribution chains and respond to the real needs of businesses, regions, and users. He also underscored the importance of developing specialized human capital, strengthening logistics culture, and moving toward a systemic vision that connects transportation, sustainability, and productive development.
Audience Interaction
During the audience question block, topics such as modal integration, the role of universities, railway training, decentralization of investments, strategic corridors, and the need for an institutional framework capable of sustaining long-term policies were addressed.
Among the ideas presented, the following emerged the importance of prioritizing relevant rail corridors, strengthening public-private cooperation, and moving towards planning that is not exclusively dependent on government cycles.
The webinar concluded with a call to reclaim a long-term vision for Chile's railways. More than just a discussion about isolated trains, the conversation positioned the railway as a critical infrastructure for mobility, logistics, competitiveness, sustainability, and territorial integration.
From Trains for Chile 2050We thank everyone who participated in this event, those who tuned in during the broadcast, those who sent in their questions, and the speakers and panelists who made this dialogue possible.
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