Origins
In 1920, Medellín was a city in full expansion, with a population barely exceeding 100,000 inhabitants but growing rapidly thanks to the industrial boom. Transportation relied mainly on carts, horse-drawn carriages, and a few motorized vehicles circulating on cobblestone streets.
It was then that a group of visionaries, led by the Antioquian engineer Gonzalo Restrepo Jaramillo, proposed a system of electric trams that would connect the center with emerging neighborhoods. The original plans, preserved in the Historical Archive of Medellín, showed a 22-kilometer network that ran from Buenos Aires to El Poblado.
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The project drivers
Behind the initiative were:
- The Public Improvement Society of Medellín
- Textile entrepreneurs like Alejandro Echavarría
- American investors interested in replicating the success of trams like those in San Francisco
Historical timeline
The tram project had several key milestones:
1921-1923: The golden years
In 1921, the symbolic cornerstone was laid in front of the Municipal Palace (now the Antioquia Museum). By 1923, the first poles and rails had already been installed on Ayacucho Street, then called Calle Ancha.
1924: The beginning of the end
The global economic crisis, coupled with disputes between local and foreign shareholders, halted construction. Only a 3 km test section between La Playa and Guayaquil was completed.
1926: Definitive abandonment
The never-electrified rails began to be dismantled to use the metal in other works. The last visible vestige disappeared in 1932 when Avenida La Playa was paved.
Key figures
Several figures marked this history:
- Gonzalo Restrepo Jaramillo: The chief engineer who designed the plans inspired by the trams of Boston.
- María Cano: The labor leader who criticized the project for prioritizing wealthy areas.
- John P. Morrison: Representative of the American firm that would supply the wagons.
Current status and relevance
In April 2026, urban collectives like "Medellín sobre Rieles" (Medellín on Rails) have revived the debate:
- The original route coincided by 60% with the current Metroplús routes
- Experts point out that it would have avoided vehicular chaos in areas like La Candelaria
- Some lampposts in the city center still show reinforcements designed to support tram cables
Where to see vestiges?
At the Medellín Transport Museum (Cra 55 #42-15), the following are preserved:
- An original rail with the stamp "Tranvía Eléctrico de Medellín 1922"
- Photographs of the tests in Guayaquil
- Models of what the stations would look like
Curiosity: The design of the current Metro stations in the center respects the height that the tram platforms would have had, as discovered by architects in 2019.
Will the tram return?
The Mayor's Office has included feasibility studies in its Mobility Plan 2025-2035. The challenges include:
- Space on streets now much more congested
- Costs estimated at 40% higher than in the 1920s (adjusted for inflation)
- Competition with projects like the Metro de la 80
Meanwhile, the 1920 plans continue to inspire urban planners seeking sustainable solutions for a Medellín that will soon exceed 3 million inhabitants.
Timeline or historical milestones
1920: The initial vision
Medellín, with a growing population and in full industrialization, begins to consider the implementation of a tram system to connect its neighborhoods and facilitate mobility. This project becomes a key piece for the city's urban development.
1930: First trams in operation
The first tram lines are inaugurated, operating mainly with electric power. These lines connect the city center with neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles, marking the beginning of a new era in public transport.
1950: The tram's heyday
During this decade, the tram system reaches its maximum expansion, with multiple routes facilitating access to various areas of Medellín. However, the arrival of private vehicles and buses begins to cause a decline in its use.
1970: Decline and closure
The tram is declared obsolete, and the lines are dismantled in favor of other means of transport. This change marks a significant loss in the city's identity and its mobility system.
2000: Reviving interest
With the rise of sustainable mobility, public transport systems in Medellín begin to be re-evaluated. The idea of recovering the tram resurfaces among urban planners and citizens who long for a more integrated city, less dependent on cars.
2015: Inauguration of the Ayacucho Tram
Finally, the reactivation of the tram is realized with the opening of the Ayacucho line, which connects Medellín's center with the El Poblado neighborhood. This new system not only improves mobility but also revives the history of the tram in the city.
2023: A model to follow
The Medellín tram has become a benchmark for other Latin American cities seeking to implement sustainable transport systems. Medellín's experience has shown that it is possible to combine innovation and tradition in urban transport.
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