Overview
- The Sistema de Transporte Colectivo (STC Metro) reported 94 incidents of umbrellas falling onto tracks so far in 2026 and is warning riders through its official channels to secure their belongings.
- Most umbrellas have metal frames that can short the 750‑volt guide bar when they land on the tracks and technicians must cut power to retrieve them.
- STC says removals typically require 3 to 5 minutes of power cut and each event stops the line’s train 'carousel', a pause that can cascade into wider delays.
- Rainy‑season operating rules already reduce train speeds by up to 50 percent, which increases crowding at busy transfer stations and magnifies the impact of even short service interruptions.
- Authorities ask passengers to hold umbrellas closed on platforms, stay behind the yellow safety line, and consider Metrobús, RTP, Trolebús or ECOBICI during prolonged delays as maintenance and modernization work continues.