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Travelers using the Maya Train train are set to notice a major improvement in comfort & efficiency with the introduction of new carriages on long-distance journeys.
The new state of the P’atal trains are uniquely designed to provide a modern railway travel experience for visitors on journeys to the many natural & historical wonders of the Mexican Caribbean.
Officially inaugurated this week, travelers can expect to see more of the new carriages used across the Maya Train railway network, especially as travel numbers on the system begin growing closer to the busy winter season.
With work on the Maya Train expected to finally wrap up in just several months, here’s the latest on what visitors can expect from the new service.
P’atal Maya Trains To Provide Modern Railway Experience For Cancun Travelers
The Maya Train is one of the hottest topics for travel in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean right now, attracting significant attention from both locals and visitors due to its revolutionary impact on public transportation in the sunny region.
While most of the Maya Train project – the costliest infrastructure undertaking to date in the Mexican Caribbean – is already complete, several improvements are still being rolled out.
Among those upgrades is the launching of a new long-distance train subtype, the P’atal-class carriages, which officially began operating this week.
Mexico’s outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador took part in an inauguration ceremony this week in the Cancun Airport Maya Train station and introduced the new carriages to reporters.
Promising an enhanced travel experience on long-distance routes including the Cancun-Chichen Itzá section and beyond, the efficient and modern trains are produced by the French company Alstom.
Featuring lay-flat seating and large panoramic windows, the P’atal trains offer plentiful opportunities for rest & relaxation on multiple hour-long journeys.
Each train has eight separate carriages for a maximum capacity of up to 328 passengers across economy and premium classes.
The highly advanced train class can reach speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, a significant improvement compared to the original Maya Train rolling stock which has a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour.
Aside from its impressive technical features, the train’s modern interior evokes a calming feeling and is inspired by the Mexican Caribbean’s starry sky, visible at night.
For now, the train will only operate on the Fourth Section of the Maya Train between Cancun and Izamal but may later be used in other routes as well.
Travelers can purchase tickets for the Maya Train on the railway system’s official website or in person at the various train stations across five Mexican Caribbean states.
However, with demand for the new service skyrocketing, it’s best to opt for online bookings well in advance to secure availability.
Since its inauguration earlier this year, the Maya Train has transported over 100,000 travelers, but that number is set to skyrocket ahead of the upcoming winter season.
Last week, the railway system reached an important milestone with the official opening of the Tulum Airport station, with several departures running daily between the southern city to Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Meanwhile, work on the remaining stations – including Chetumal and Bacalar – is still ongoing, and several delays have been experienced due to technical difficulties and challenging terrain.
The Maya Train traverses hundreds of kilometers of thick rainforest, with Mayan ruins also posing an obstacle to construction work.
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