Optimising Quito Metro’s operating and maintenance model to support future investment and competitiveness

Context

The Quito Metro is an all-electric mass transit system: a core element of the city’s sustainable mobility strategy and an example of the green, sustainable infrastructure promoted under the EU’s Global Gateway. The line is 22 km long and was inaugurated in December of 2023.

The Consortium EOMMT, composed of Transdev and the Metro de Medellín, was hired to operate the metro for the period 2022-2028. The existing model established the maintenance of sub-systems by other companies (trains, railway signalling, power supply, infrastructure and telecommunications systems).

However, this complex operational and maintenance system faces coordination and governance challenges. The system also relies on the technology of original suppliers, leading to scattered operations and maintenance of information. With the new tender for the metro operation taking place in late 2028, an improved, more efficient model needs to be designed – one with clear, efficient coordination mechanisms, and an attractive contractual framework for qualified international operators.

Objective

The objective of this project is to propose a more effective operations and maintenance model for the Quito Metro. The assessment will include a cost-benefit and operational analysis of the current operating model to determine which functions activities should remain outsourced, which could be progressively internalised, and how to improve interoperability, performance monitoring and institutional coordination. These improvements will create the conditions to attract quality international investment through a fair, competitive tender process in line with the Global Gateway’s goals.

The project will also assess data management needs for a better supervision by Empresa Publica Metropolitana Metro de Quito (EPMMQ), covering both existing data flows and future flows with the maintenance and operations operators. Defining this data architecture will enable evidence-based decisions, transparent performance oversight, and improved contractor accountability, consistent with Global Gateway’s digital-by-design approach.

Expected results

The recommendations provided by this project will:

provide key inputs for the terms of reference of the upcoming operations tender, with the aim of supporting a more competitive and attractive procurement process for international operators
inform the design of the future operations and maintenance model
adjust existing and future data flows with maintenance and operations operators, enabling better supervision by EPMMQ

Ultimately, a more reliable, well-governed metro system will improve the quality of green transport in Quito and encourage its use, while establishing the metro as a benchmark for sustainable, high-standard infrastructure, attracting international investments.

Find out more about the project:

Metro de Quito (2026), “Metro de Quito impulsa cooperación técnica internacional para fortalecer su modelo de operación y mantenimientos”. Available here.