The signing signifies the implementation of the contract awarded by the metropolitan municipality of Quito to CAF, for around $US 183m, and comprises the supply of 18 six-car trains.

The 22.5km line from Quitumbe to El Labrador will have 15 stations and trains will operate at a commercial speed of 37km/h with a journey time of 34 minutes. Ridership is expected to be around 369,000 passengers per day in the first year of operation.

The trains will have a maximum speed of 100km/h, powered from a 1.5kV dc with rigid overhead catenary. The 109m-long trains will be operated manually.