Ecobreves – CHILE: Activists Sound Alarm on Transantiago Plan

By - - and IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

SANTIAGO, Jan 27 2007 (IPS) - The Transantiago Plan, which is to take effect Feb. 10 in the Chilean capital, is in the sights of ecologists, who are demanding a clear commitment from government officials to the initiative. Transantiago's mission is to rationalize public transportation and reduce air pollution in this city of more than five million people, surrounded by mountains.

Environmentalist Paola Vasconi, of the non-governmental Terram Foundation, said one of the main criticisms of the former mayor of the metropolitan region, Víctor Barrueto, was his lack of commitment to Transantiago.

The new mayor, Adriana Delpiano, began her term in office with visits to the main centers of the new transportation plan, which includes, among other measures, an expansion of the metropolitan railway and the redesign of the city's bus service.