"Cultura Metro"

Medellin has one thing it is very proud of, and that's the metro. Not even the capital of Colombia, Bogota, has one. The metro in Medellin consists of one straight line from North to South, and one that goes eastward, connecting the other in a T-shape.

Additionally, there are two cable cabin routes ("metrocable"). These connect the metro with poorer areas up on the hills, transporting people in cabins that run on wires in the air. Quite cool.

Well there is something special about the metro, and that is "Cultura Metro". This is the name of the values of how the metro system wants people to behave. Thus, in the metro you will hear regular messages from the speakers like "Let's not lean onto the poles". On the next level there are those who remind you to be courteous: "Let's give away the seats to the people who has most difficulties traveling standing." 

Finally there are those who teach you how to be a better person. "A smile makes everybody happier". Mostly these message sequences end with "Let's live 'Cultura Metro'". Of couse we are talking about pre-recorded voices played back by a machine. One is male and one is female and both did their best to to sound sugar-sweet. But it works, it almost feels like there are two good-hearted "parents" on the train watching out for us.

Of course, it is a little contradictory when one of the messages is "Speaking on the phone or listening to music is and individual activity. Let's not disturb other passengers". How about disturbing us with all these messages from the loudspeakers?

But, I must say, I enjoy the metro of Medellin a lot. Not least because the metro in Medellin doesn't go underground. It goes on a railway up in the air. You can enjoy the view of the city all the time. Best thing ever.