Metro begins operating 5 to 20 minutes earlier

SANTIAGO.- Starting today, subway stations along all lines begun to open their doors earlier than normal. The stations will also begin to progressively close up to 30 minutes later as part of a measure that had previously been announced by the Metro public transportation company.

The new schedule –at five terminal stations and another 13 regular stations- will mean that almost 80 percent of the network will be opening its doors 5 to 20 minutes before 6:00 am, which is service currently begins.

Meanwhile, the Saturday underground service will be extended by 30 minutes to 11:00 pm.

The president of the Metro board of directors, Clemente Pérez, has said that the measures "will mainly benefit workers that live in municipalities that are farther away from the downtown area and have to wake up very early, as well as young people who many times require alternative transportation within the city on Saturday nights".

The new schedule openings are during times that are not considered "peak hours", allowing more passengers to travel for a price of 380 pesos.