Plenas Metro

The , more formally the Plenas Metropolitan Rapid (: Rápido Metropolitano de Plenas) is the system in Plenas, the  of Ventora. The system consists of three lines with 58 stations over a total route distance of 126.6 km. The first line opened in 1934.

History
Districts Metro Transport (Tránsito Metropolitano de Barrios, TMB) built the first transit railway underground after having been denied permission to build a surface railway in central Plenas. When it opened in 1934, the line was a mere 9 km with six stations, running between Vispieres and Brunete on what is today's Red Line. When the initial line was built, the company took advantage of a loophole in the law that did not consider railways as a utility to be regulated by the local governmental authority. Although the law was changed in 1936, the line had proven to be popular. As a result, it has been expanded several times to reach 52.3 km.

In 1937, Transit North of Plenas (Tránsito Norte de Plenas, TNP) opened its Blue Line from a connection with the Red Line at Plaza de Ventora. The line originally ran 13.4 km to Tales. It has since been expanded to a total length of 34.7 km. The Green Line opened in 1952 with a length of 17.8 km between Plaza de Ventora and Villacarlos. Owned and operatedd by Plenas Transport Company (Empresa de Transporte Plenas, ETP), the line is now 39.5 km.

System
As is typical of infrastructure in Ventora, Plenas Metro lines are owned and operated by private companies under concession. The Plenas Transport Council (Consejo de Transportes de Plenas, CTP) oversees and coordinates the rapid transit system, commuter rail lines, trams, and bus routes. CTP has representatives and staff from each of the companies involved, along with city and regional government representatives. In this manner, "schedules and fares are rationalized and coordinated into a coherent, efficient system."

Lines
Metro track is the standard Ventoran gauge of 1,500 mm (4 ft $11 1⁄16$ in). The routes use overhead electric lines at 1,500 Vdc to power rolling stock, with trains consisting of three to eight cars. The three lines total 126.5 km. Of the 58 stations, 5 offer interchanges between two lines and the Plaza de Ventora station offers interchanges between all three lines. Seven stations have connections with commuter or long-distance passenger rail services.

Headways and hours
Trains typically run on 7 minute headways during weekday rush hours, 15 minute headways during the day and early evening on weekdays, and 30 minute headways in late evenings. Headways vary from 20 to 45 minutes on weekends and holidays. Operating hours are 05:00 to 24:00, extended to 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, and 07:00 to 22:00 on Sundays and holidays. Trains may run later and more frequently during special events.

Fares
CTP has developed a magnetic-stripe stored value farecard scheme, which all three Rapid lines honor. This enables riders to transfer from one line to another, paying the total fare upon completion of their journey. Fares vary from Ɇ5.00 to Ɇ10.50 depending on the length of the journey. Half price fares are available for students, senior, and the disabled. Single day, three day, five day, and 30 day unlimited ride farecards are also available. Riders may purchase their farecard at in-station vending machines, from numerous shops, or by mail from CTP.

To use the system, riders insert their farecard into the entrance turnstyle, which marks the beginning of their trip. At their destination station, they insert the farecard into the exit turnstyle, which calculates the fare cost, deducts it from the value on the farecard, and opens the turnstyle. If the farecard has insufficient funds available, the rider must use a ticket vending machine to add value in order to complete the trip and exit the station.