Metro line 1: what were the first stations of the oldest STC line

A couple of weeks ago, the Metro Collective Transport System (STC) reported in a statement that next May work will begin on the intervention on Line 1 of the metro, which involves maintenance of civil works and the renovation of the system of tracks and electrical appliances.

It was also reported that the work will be carried out at night, in order to prevent the work of trains and the service to users from being affected. Once the preparatory phase is over, the major intervention will take place, which is planned to take place in two parts: the first of the Pantitlán stations in Salto del Agua, which would begin during the second half of this year, and after Balderas to the Observatory, in January 2023.

This was news that did not please metro users very much, since Line 1, or pink line, as it is also known, is the one with the largest influx of people, since it is estimated that it transports 460,000 people a day.

Although the reality is that this maintenance is very necessary, we must remember that Line 1 of the metro is the oldest of the 12 that make up the network.

It is estimated that, throughout the metro network, about four million people travel a day. The popularity of this means of transport comes from its capacity, its low cost, which is five pesos, and its reach throughout Mexico City.

Currently, the oldest line on the network measures almost 19 kilometers, and has 20 stations, of which seven are correspondences and two terminals. However, it did not always have this many seasons.

The project began during the administration of former President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, and it was on June 19, 1967 that the foundation stone of what would become the front line of the STC was laid. The original plan was 12,660 kilometers long, with only 16 stations, which ran from Zaragoza to Chapultepec. The first “drilling” took place on the ground where Chapultepec and Bucareli avenues cross, two of the most important avenues in Mexico City, and which represented a watershed of the mobility and modern life of Mexico City.

And so it was that, after 27 months of work, line 1 was inaugurated on September 4, 1969.

During the ceremony, Juan Cano Cortés became the first driver of the Metro and the head of the line. On that occasion, he transported the then president of Mexico along with other officials and journalists. A day later, the opening was given to the general public.

Later, one more station was released, from Chapultepec to Juanacatlán, which added 1,046 kilometers to the route. We also worked on another new stop, in Tacubaya. When it opened, the line was already 14.8 kilometers long.

A couple of years later, the Observatorio station was added, so that, finally, in August 1984, Pantitlán was added, but now on the side of Zaragoza, leaving the line as it is currently known. In total, 20 stations were created in 15 years.

In addition to this, during its construction, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) made several discoveries. One of the most important and striking was that of the Pyramid of Ehécatl, which is now known as the symbol of the Pino Suárez station. It was built by the Mexicas for the God of the Wind in 1400 AD, and during the construction of the metro, it suffered some damage.

Tlaltecuhtli, Goddess of the Earth, and a skull more than 11 thousand years old were also found. In total, 13 thousand pieces were recovered.

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