The first stage of Metro Line 1 of Metro de Maracaibo, has a total length of 6.5 km, running along Av. Sabaneta. There are 6 stations, 4 at grade and 2 elevated. The first station, Altos de la Vanega, is located next to the depot and workshops. From here the route runs at grade towards the city centre with stops at El Varillal, El Guayabal and Sabaneta. After the latter station, the alignment will be on a viaduct including the last two stations Urdaneta and Libertador, the only ones with side platforms, right in the city centre.

Trains run every 5 minutes during peak hours and every 6-8 minutes off-peak. The maximum speed is 70 km/h, average travel speed will be at 35 km/h. Current supply is at 750 dc via an overhead wire. Trains were supplied by Siemens, based on class M1 originally designed for the Prague Metro. A 3-car trainset is 58.2 m long, and 2.7 m wide. The train floor lies 1150 mm above the rail top. Seven trains were delivered for phase 1.

25 Nov 2006: L1 Altos de La Vanega - El Varillal (official opening)

27 Aug 2007: L1 Altos de La Vanega - El Guayabal (trial service)

11 May 2008: L1 Altos de La Vanega - Sabaneta (trial service)

20 Dec 2008: L1 Sabaneta - Libertador (trial service, skipping Urdaneta station)

08 June 2009: L1 Altos de La Vanega - Libertador (full service 06:00-18:00)

 Projects

The second stage of metro construction includes a 3.1 km northern extension of Line 1 to Av. 5 de Julio along Av Delicias. When completed in 2010, L1 will be 9.4 km long. Once L2 has been built, L1 may be extended north from 5 de Julio towards Milagro Norte.

The third stage will be Line 2 running west from Av. 5 de Julio to Curva de Molina (8.5 km). The central section (2.27 km) with three stations will be underground, the rest on a viaduct. L2 will not be completed before 2018.

Later two more lines may be added:

Line 3 - from La Coromoto in the south to La Virginia in the northeast (19 km, 25 stations)

Line 4 - running north - south from Sector Cujicito to Sector El Silencio (17 km, 21 stations)