Nearly US$20 million is needed to repair all of the operating funiculars in Valparaiso, according to a recent study by the Universidad Técinca Federico Santa Maria.

The funiculars are reportedly in electrical, mechanical, structural and administrative danger. Repairs are needed to stop the frequent power cuts and to restore the train rails holding the cars in place. The rails are almost 100 years old.
 

Of the seven remaining funiculars, only two are operated at a profit, and both are privately owned. The funicular on Concepción Hill is in the heart of Valparaiso and has an average of 1,000 daily users. The funicular in Artillería Hill, with around 900 users per day, connects Playa Ancha to the Puerto area.

The manager of the two private funiculars said they bring in over US$120,000 monthly, sufficient income to maintain them. This figure, he said, is due to the locations of the funiculars.

The remaining funiculars, however, are not as profitable. Some report that on a regular day, only 50 people use them.

The government recently gave the three operating publicly owned funiculars - Polanco, El Peral and Reina Victoria - US$3.29 million for repairs, with the money also providing for two other disabled funiculars located in Baron and San Agustin hills. Two of the three operating funiculars have already been repaired.

But no funds have been offered to the privately owned funiculars, which may resort to lending their services to tourist operators to raise the money needed to operate.
Recently, two senators who represent Region V (the Valparaiso area) met with the transportation minister to ask for subsidies to keep funiculars active.

SOURCE: EL MERCURIO
By Sebastian Leon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )