COLOMBIA’s Medellín Metro has approved a strategic plan aimed at achieving full financial autonomy within the next 10 years. The document, published as Strategic Direction 2026-2035, has been endorsed by the operator’s board of directors, chaired by Antioquia governor, Andrés Julián Rendón, and Medellín mayor, Federico Gutiérrez.
Under the plan, Medellín Metro aims to reduce its long-term dependence on public subsidies by strengthening non-fare revenue streams, improving asset management and expanding its commercial and advisory activities. No specific revenue targets or investment spending plans have yet been disclosed.
The plan establishes four core objectives:
- enhanced accessibility: the majority of residents within the metropolitan area will be no more than 15 minutes away from a metro station
- financial autonomy: the metro will be able to fund operations and future investment from its own resources
- greater market participation: the operator will offer services and expertise to metro projects in Colombia and abroad, and
- environmental sustainability: making progress towards carbon neutrality and improving resilience to climate risks.
Medellín Metro has already made progress in diversifying its income base. Non-fare revenue, which represented just 3.5% of total income a decade ago, had risen to approximately 10.5% by 2022.
No timelines or budgets for specific projects have been announced, but details on investment priorities and delivery mechanisms are expected to be released as the plan moves into its implementation phase.
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