Guatemala's urban rail scheme begins to take shape

Guatemala's Metro Riel, a light train that aims to cross the capital from north to south --a journey of some 42 kilometers-- carrying 250,000 passengers a day, is taking shape. The public-private investment in the project is expected to be $770 million.

An agreement on the project was signed on Monday by the financial authorities of Guatemala City, the state railways, and Anadie, the promotion agency.

A preliminary qualification process to identify a possible private partner for the project is expected to begin in September, with a full-blown tender promised for next year.