\u2018Metro Culture\u2019 can be defined as\u00a0<\/i>the building of a civic culture framed\u00a0<\/i>by respect and solidarity<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
How important has intermodal integration been in this stage?<\/b><\/p>\n
The different modes of transport that make up our system are integrated at the physical, operational and fare levels. The physical level is important because it ensures that users experience a sense of continuity in their journeys, no matter how many transfers they have to make. Operational integration, which consists of a single company operating the four modes of transport, makes it possible for timetables and standards of service to be the same, and also makes it easier to have a complete overview of the operation of the system, which facilitates decision making in real time. Fare integration is achieved thanks to the Civica card, a contactless payment method that allows users to travel on the different modes of transport with a single payment.<\/p>\n
What would you highlight about your expansion plan?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The Metro de Medell\u00edn Expansion Plan is one of the five plans that make up the 2006-2030 Confidence in the Future Master Plan, which was drafted taking into account the existing plans of the 10 municipalities of the Aburr\u00e1 Valley Metropolitan Area. This makes it possible to articulate the 19 projected transport corridors in the same way that the city\/region is projecting its development. In addition, the inclusion of the Expansion Plan in the Master Plan ensures that the new lines that are being developed have the human, physical and technological resources needed for proper implementation.<\/p>\n
Metro de Medell\u00edn is a multimodal system that currently has two metro lines, four Metrocable lines, two BRT lines\u00a0and one tram line<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Another important aspect is that the 19 corridors defined in the Expansion Plan have been designed to cover current and projected demand, but the technology to be used has not been established a priori<\/i>. This decision is made on the basis of a multi-criteria matrix which makes it possible to technically determine whether it is more suitable to build a tramway, Metrocable, BRT or heavy metro, or even adopt new technologies, in that particular corridor.<\/p>\n
Lastly, I would like to highlight that the Master Plan is revised every five years in order to adapt to the dynamics of population growth and the way in which the inhabitants appropriate the territory. Last year, we made an adjustment that incorporated new criteria for the revision, among them linkage to the human mobility system and the structuring system \u2013environment, landscape and public space\u2013 so that it can contribute more effectively to the sustainability of the city\/region.<\/p>\n
The intention is for\u00a0users to experience a\u00a0sense of continuity in their journeys regardless\u00a0of the transfers they make<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Expansion Plan is accompanied by identification of possible funding resources, for which a Business Plan has been formulated to identify funding sources through non-fare resources which include businesses associated with transportation and the possible application of the value of the land generated by our system in each one of the planned corridors.<\/p>\n
How many patents do you currently have and which one would you highlight?<\/b><\/p>\n
Four patents have been granted to Metro. The first one was obtained in October 2015 after two years of research, which culminated in the creation of a Vehicle Traffic Monitoring System<\/i> at the point of connection and operation between the cable, car, station and support clamp, in a cable car transport system. As the name indicates, the development is used to monitor the movement of vehicles. The second patent was granted in December 2015 for the Hub for the acquisition of railway vehicles and acquisition method,<\/i> which optimises vehicle performance. Also in December 2015 and after 24 months of research, the company was awarded a patent for Diagnovision,<\/i> a system and method for the inspection of the geometric parameters of railway vehicle wheels.<\/p>\n
Fare integration is achieved thanks to the Civica card, a contactless payment method that allows users to travel on the different modes of transport\u00a0with a single payment<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Lastly, in February 2016, Metro de Medell\u00edn received the patent for Diagnodefect,<\/i> a device used for the automated inspection of the roundness of rolling stock wheels on rail tracks. Rather than highlighting one of them in particular, I would like to emphasise the collaborative work work with universities and local industry that underlies each one.<\/p>\n
From the beginning, Metro de Medell\u00edn has added a social and even educational dimension to urban transport which has been called \u2018Metro Culture\u2019. Can you explain what this is and who it is aimed at?<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2018Metro Culture\u2019 is effectively an educational and cultural initiative of Metro de Medell\u00edn which can be defined as the building of a civic culture based on respect for oneself, respect for others and respect for the public and calls for peaceful coexistence, good behaviour, solidarity and compliance with the basic rules of use of the system and the city\u2019s spaces.<\/p>\n
The Expansion Plan is accompanied by a Business Plan which makes it possible to identify funding sources\u00a0through non-fare resources<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Its target audience includes all of the company\u2019s stakeholders because \u2018Metro Culture\u2019 is an integral part of the strategic guidance. This means that when interacting with Metro de Medell\u00edn, all of the different stakeholders are impacted by it. Users, for example, receive ongoing training in the proper use of the system and the patterns of behaviour that must be observed in it, while enjoying opportunities that bring them into contact with the arts, music and literature during their journeys. Communities in the areas of influence are also participants in educational actions, as well as recreational and cultural activities. The Human Talent area endeavours to ensure that culture of the organisation, and with all stakeholders, also preserves the principles of \u2018Metro Culture\u2019.<\/p>\n
Innovation has always been one of your major commitments, what are your most innovative projects?<\/b><\/p>\n
Without a doubt, Metrocable. Our Metrocable lines represent innovation in processes, as well as social innovation. Since cable cars are normally used in ski resorts, the operators have all of the summer months to perform major maintenance. In Medell\u00edn, because it is a public service whose malfunctions radically affect the most vulnerable communities, we have found it necessary to adapt maintenance routines in order to carry them out within no more than 10 days.<\/p>\n
Communities in the areas\u00a0of influence are also participants in educational actions, as\u00a0well as recreational and\u00a0cultural activities<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What would you say are Metro de Medell\u00edn\u2019s major milestones or achievements over the last 22 years of commercial operation?<\/b><\/p>\n
As in any transport system, the beginning of the commercial operation of each new line is an important milestone. In addition to the milestones shown in the figure, there are others, even before the start of commercial operation. \u2018Metro Culture\u2019 began in 1988. Another milestone that we are very proud of occurred in 1999 when we were able, for the first time, to replace train wheels in our own workshops, instead of having to send them to Germany. This marked the beginning of a policy of import substitution and collaboration with academia and local industry.<\/p>\n
2007 was also an important year, in which the company, Alternate Concepts Inc., an urban train operator from San Juan, Puerto Rico, became the first international client of the associated consulting business. Since then, we have carried out consulting, technical assistance and support work in the planning and execution of preliminary and operational stages of public transport systems, covering the management of operations, fare collection management, social management, communication and civic culture around sustainable mobility. Our main international clients include the cities of Panama, Lima and Rio de Janeiro. In Colombia, we have supported the cities of Bogot\u00e1, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Ibagu\u00e9, Santa Marta, Monter\u00eda, Soacha, El Pe\u00f1ol and significant mobility policy agreements with Colombia\u2019s Ministry of Transport.<\/p>\n
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