<!-- "none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see WP:SDNONE -->

Transport in Venezuela revolves around a system of highways and airports. Venezuela is connected to the world primarily via air (Venezuela's airports include the Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas and La Chinita International Airport near Maracaibo) and sea (with major seaports at La Guaira, Maracaibo and Puerto Cabello). In the south and east the Amazon rainforest region has limited cross-border transport; in the west, there is a mountainous border of over shared with Colombia. The Orinoco River is navigable by oceangoing vessels up to 400&nbsp;km inland, and connects the major industrial city of Ciudad Guayana to the Atlantic Ocean.

Venezuela has a limited national railway system, which has no active rail connections to other countries. Several major cities have metro systems; the Caracas Metro has been operating since 1983. The Maracaibo Metro and Valencia Metro were opened more recently. Venezuela has a road network of around 100,000&nbsp;km (placing it around 47th in the world); around a third of roads are paved.

As of 2019, about 80% of public transportation is not operational within the country.

Railways

thumb|Map based on IFE maps of lines operating (purple), lines being restored (blue) and lines under construction (green) as at 2017

<br />total:

7000&nbsp;km (?) <!-- Some one please verify --> (248&nbsp;km privately owned, including Orinoco Mining Company)

<br />standard gauge:

682&nbsp;km (40&nbsp;km electrified) ()

Cities with underground railway systems

  • Caracas (El Metro de Caracas, operated by C.A. Metro de Caracas)
  • Los Teques Metro - opened in 2006.
  • Maracaibo Metro - opened in 2006.
  • Valencia Metro (Venezuela) - opened in 2006.

See also

  • East-West Railway, Venezuela
  • Guyana - no
  • Brazil - no
  • Brazil
  • Colombia - yes, but inoperative (Railroad of Cúcuta) - proposed rebuilding
  • Colombia

Maps

  • Encarta

Standards

  • Gauge:
  • Coupling: AAR
  • Brakes: Air
  • Electrification: 25 kV AC 60 Hz

Stations

Timeline

2006

  • Venezuela awards contracts worth $2.2 billion to build two new railway lines. Construction on the two new lines connecting San Juan de los Morros to San Fernando de Apure and connecting Chaguaramas to Cabruta is expected to begin in Q2 2006 and is expected to take six years to complete. April 2006 in rail transport.
  • In October 2006, Venezuela opened a new Caracas-Cúa railway, the first new railway in the country for 70 years
  • "Towards the end of this month, we would have final discussions with Mittal Steel," said Mr Kapur, adding that the initial discussions took place in March. Moreover, Ircon is also likely to construct a new rail line in Venezuela at an estimated cost of $350 million.

2008

  • On August 23, 2008, a deal was signed between Argentina (Argentina), Brazil (Brazil) and Venezuela to develop an electrified railway link between these countries. A minor hurdle is the use of utility frequencies of both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
  • July 5 - meeting between Venezuela, Colombia (Colombia) and Ecuador (Ecuador) regarding a railway for freight and passengers to link the three countries, and linking the Pacific with the Atlantic also.

2009

  • March 2009 - China to help build new network

Highways

Automobile transport is encouraged by the fact that Venezuela has the lowest petrol prices in the world, at $0.18 per gallon ($0.05 per liter). In some cases, petrol is less expensive than bottled water.

Airports - with paved runways

thumb|[[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Simón Bolívar International Airport]]

<br />total:

128

<br />over3,047 m:

6

<br />2,438 to 3,047 m:

9

<br />1,524 to 2,437 m:

35

<br />914 to 1,523 m:

61

<br />under 914 m:

17 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

<br />total:

364

<br />2,438 to 3,047 m:

3

<br />1,524 to 2,437 m:

55

<br />914 to 1,523 m:

113

<br />under 914 m:

193 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Cable car

Venezuela has had in times the world's highest cable car in operation. The Mérida cable car opened in 1960, connecting Mérida with the top of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida. It was closed indefinitely in 2008, having reached the end of its service life. After an extensive renovation and the renewal of its fleet, operations resumed in 2016.

See also

  • Perrera

References

  • Map of transport infrastructures of Venezuela