Train to Nowhere ...goin' fast!

As reported in this morning´s Clarin, it looks like the days may be numbered for the Tranvía del Este (Puerto Madero Tramway.)  It´s a cute little bugger and, although it doesn´t really go anywhere, it´s a fun little ride from Av. Córdoba to Av. Independencia along Puerto Madero.

If you´ve always wanted to ride those particular shiny irons, you might want to get down to the station in the next couple of weeks.

The owner of the train, the Spanish company, Mintra "has warned the national government that it has until the end of this month pay the back-rent for the use of the equipment."

According to Mintra, the deal was for €25,000 a month ...except that they´ve never received check one since 2008.  As it stands, the tab is up to €2,900,000.  Mintra called and they want their train back.

The unpaid marker has bounced around like a sub-prime mortgage between 3 different European companies and the total doesn´t include the $40 million pesos for track upgrades, stations, and crossings.  There will be some negotiations, however.  Transport Secretary, Juan Pablo Schiavi confirmed that he will be travelling to Madrid to negotiate a new agreement with Mintra.

Living across from Retiro Station, I often wished that the little choo-choo connected there.  I would have taken it fairly regularly.  It seems that I was doing them a favor by calling a cab...  

...for every $1 peso fare, it costs $32 pesos in subsidies.