INCOFER receives GPS device donation from Portugal to modernize the railway service in Costa Rica.

The technology platform aims to improve the travel experience for train users in Costa Rica. (Reference photo, courtesy of Incofer) The Costa Rican Railway Institute received a technological donation from the Government of Portugal and the company Ubirider, which will strengthen the modernization of the Costa Rican railway system by incorporating GPS devices and digital tools for real-time information. The official delivery took place during an event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and includes GPS validation devices that will be integrated into the technology platform developed by Ubirider, a company specializing in intelligent mobility and public transportation solutions. According to INCOFER, the implementation of this technology will allow passengers to access updated information on the location of trains, stations, schedules, and estimated arrival times from their mobile devices. The GPS devices will allow passengers to know the location and schedules of the trains in real time. Credit: INCOFER. Authorities believe that this tool will contribute to improving the travel experience for thousands of users who use the train daily in the Greater Metropolitan Area, especially on high-demand routes such as San José, Heredia, Cartago, and Alajuela. In addition to providing real-time information, the system aims to strengthen user confidence in the railway service through a more predictable, modern, and accessible operation. Álvaro Bermudez, president of Incofer, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and technological contributions to improve public transportation in Costa Rica. The initiative is part of the efforts to modernize public transportation being promoted by various institutions in Costa Rica, amid growing demands for more efficient, sustainable, and digitally connected mobility systems. In recent years, the train service has experienced a sustained increase in the number of users, especially due to traffic congestion on the main routes leading to San José. In light of this situation, access to real-time information has become one of the main needs of passengers, who frequently face delays, operational changes, or limitations in communication about schedules. This type of tool is already used in various transportation systems around the world and allows users to better plan their trips, reduce waiting times, and optimize connections with other modes of transportation. In addition, authorities believe that the incorporation of digital solutions strengthens the competitiveness of rail transport compared to the use of private vehicles, one of the main challenges of urban mobility in Costa Rica. The official delivery of the donation took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Credit: INCOFER. INCOFER stated that the initiative also represents a step towards building a more inclusive and sustainable railway system, aligned with international strategies for clean mobility and reduction of polluting emissions. Rail transport has been identified by various sectors as a key alternative to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility in the Greater Metropolitan Area, where extensive traffic jams and time losses are recorded daily for thousands of people. Cooperation between governments and international technology companies has been fundamental in several modernization projects promoted in the region, especially in areas related to digitalization, transportation intelligence, and sustainable mobility.