Quito Metro

The Quito Metro (Metro de Quito), abbreviated as MDQ, is a rapid transit system consisting of a single line in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.

History
Construction on the main south and north stations began in December 2012. Construction of the metro line itself began in January 2016. The metro was projected to be operational by August 2020, but the opening was delayed numerous times.

The official inauguration was held on 21 December 2022, and commercial service started with some tests with passengers on 2 May 2023. After technical problems plagued the launch, service was shut down on 11 May. Later that year, the Quito metro initiated its commercial operations on 1 December 2023.

System
The system's first line, which includes 15 stations, extends from Quitumbe in the south of the city to El Labrador in the north of the city. The 15 stations on this line are, from north to south:


 * El Labrador
 * Jipijapa
 * Iñaquito
 * La Carolina
 * Pradera
 * Universidad Central
 * El Ejido
 * La Alameda
 * San Francisco
 * La Magdalena
 * El Recreo
 * Cardenal de la Torre
 * Solanda
 * Morán Valverde
 * Quitumbe

The station at Plaza de San Francisco (by the San Francisco monastery), is the only station placed in the historic center of Quito (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978). Due to archaeological remains found at the proposed site of the San Francisco station in late 2016, the station was moved two blocks further south to the Plaza 24th of May, and the remains will not be disturbed further.

Every station is painted in a distinct color to help with passenger orientation.

The design of Line 1 allows for five infill stations to be built if demand warrants, and for a potential 5 km extension northwards to the Ofelia bus terminal.