A subway line that exists only in dreams? That’s the Línea F of the Buenos Aires Subte. It’s a phantom line, a promise whispered on the wind, a line etched on future maps but not yet on the ground. The Línea F holds a unique place in the heart of porteños. It represents a future where travel across the city is seamless, where the burden on the overcrowded Línea C is eased.
The Línea F has a long and complicated history. Officially approved in 2001, the project initially aimed to connect Constitución and Plaza Italia, running under avenues like Juan de Garay, Entre Ríos, Callao, and Las Heras, with a planned extension to Barracas. Later, a more ambitious plan emerged, stretching 12 kilometers between Barracas and Palermo, boasting 13 stations. This version, presented by Subterráneos de Buenos Aires (SBASE), envisioned a mix of elevated and underground sections. Imagine a viaduct rising along the Nueve de Julio Sur highway, then diving underground, weaving a path beneath the city’s vibrant arteries. This grand vision promised to link not just neighborhoods, but also other subway lines and even the Roca and San Martín railways. It held the potential to become the most used line, carrying an estimated 600,000 passengers daily.
But the Línea F remains elusive. A 2022 tender for studies was cancelled, and the project has been beset by revisions and delays. SBASE claims the “conceptual design” is nearly complete, adapting to the city’s evolving needs. But progress has been slow. The 2024 budget mentions the Línea F, but only vaguely, echoing similar entries in previous years’ budgets. The dream persists, fueled by the city’s desperate need for better transport. The Línea F, in its spectral form, continues to haunt the city’s plans, a reminder of a better future, yet to arrive.