New RED Movilidad bus service arrives at Santiago Airport
14/01/2023 The new route, which connects Metro Pajaritos with the Airport Intermodal, allows for the first time to reach the air terminal using the Bip! card.Since January 14, RED Movilidad's 555 bus has been in operation, connecting the Santiago Metro with the Santiago Airport using the Bip! card and paying the system's normal fare. This route is operated by the company Metbus and will begin its journey at the Metro Pajaritos station, arriving at the Airport - RED Movilidad intermodal station, located next to the Pehuén parking lot of the air terminal.
From there, passengers board the approach buses provided by the Nuevo Pudahuel concessionaire, which are free of charge, to reach the gates of the Domestic (T1) and International (T2) terminals. The 555 service has a frequency of 6 buses per hour, that is, every 10 minutes. The estimated travel time is about 30 minutes. To this must be added the internal travel time on the Nueva Pudahuel approach buses.
The Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, stated that "as MTT our priority is to raise the quality standard of public transport and, therefore, generate new and better travel alternatives for people. This is the first time that public transportation reaches this area with a new route, and what is even better, with the same fare. We are talking about a gap that is shortened, because a resident of La Florida or Huechuraba can get to the airport paying the same as he pays to go to work".
Regarding the implementation, Paola Tapia, director of Metropolitan Public Transport, recalled that "this service was incorporated in the tender declared deserted in March 2018. However, since last April we reactivated it in a collaborative work, together with the MOP and Nuevo Pudahuel, and from which we estimate 20 thousand people will benefit from this new travel option. We believe that for all of them this will be an efficient and low-cost alternative, which helps to build a fairer city".
In this regard, François-Regis Le Miere, General Manager of Nuevo Pudahuel, indicated that "the launch of this new RED bus service opens up a new connectivity alternative to the wide range of options that already exist for travel between the Santiago Airport and different areas of the city. As Nuevo Pudahuel we are committed to consolidating the country's main air terminal as a hub of activities and connectivity not only for the capital but for the whole country".
The route has 8 stops in each direction, including ENEA and Metro Barrancas. Its operation schedule will be as follows: - Monday to Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Saturday: 6:30 to 22:30 - Sunday: 8:00 to 22:30.