Above: a train being loaded for transport (Photo: OP Panama)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The first of 19 trains that will make up Line 1 of Panama’s new metro system will arrive in the next few weeks in Panama City, the government announced.

The trains, which will arrive from Spain, are built by French company Alstom. Line 1 will have a total of 57 cars, each of which can carry 250 people.

During the course of the year the other trains will be en route.

After arriving in Panama, the trains will be transferred to Albrook for completion and, ultimately, testing on the new line.

The Metro system is slated to open in January of next year.