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Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced an update on the expected completion time of the remaining sections of the Maya Train railway network.
In a press conference held this week, the leader told reporters that work on the southern tracks of the Maya Train is progressing according to schedule and is expected to be fully operational by late September.
The Maya Train has attracted significant attention worldwide.
It promises to revolutionize travel across the Mexican Caribbean and ease access to destinations beyond Cancun.
With just several months until the busy winter period, here are the latest Maya Train updates.
Work Continues On Maya Train Amid Concern Over Delays
Mexico’s outgoing President has confirmed that the Maya Train will be fully operational by September 15th, coinciding with the country’s independence day.
While most sections of the Maya Train are already up and running, several segments of the 1500-kilometer-long railway system are still under construction, including the important Tulum and Chetumal routes.
The most significant of the new routes include the Southern Fifth Section, which will link Playa del Carmen to Tulum. The 60-kilometer section has suffered from numerous delays imposed by thick rainforests, delicate historical ruins, and technical difficulties.
Once complete, the key train route will allow travelers to flock to Tulum, which will house one of the largest Maya Train stations, allowing unparalleled access to the hotspot’s rich Mayan history.
Work on the 254-kilometer-long Southern Sixth Section linking Tulum to Bacalar is also underway, with work expected to wrap up by early September.
According to President López Obrador, the remaining sections of the state-of-the-art railway project would launch in several stages, with the 278-kilometer-long Seventh Section – Bacalar to Escárcega – expected to begin operating by late August.
The 7th section of the Maya Train runs in an east-west axis, connecting the state capital of Quintana Roo to the growing hotspots of Xpujil and Escárcega in the neighboring region of Campeche.
Meanwhile, the Tulum and Bacalar routes are expected to be operational slightly later, by mid-September.
President López Obrador also added that officials are carrying out numerous investment programs along the track of the railway system.
From improving the state of Mayan ruins to bolstering environmental protection, the Maya Train has spurred a number of initiatives to improve visitors’ experience.
Authorities are now rushing to conclude work on the remaining sections of the Maya Train.
With significant delays already affecting the project, officials are keen on launching the entirety of the railway system before Mexico’s Independence Day this year.
Maya Train Carries Over 200,000 Travelers Since Launch
New statistics show that despite operating for only around half a year and with only a few routes, the Maya Train has carried over 200,000 passengers.
That’s according to Oscar David, the director of the Maya Train network, who gave reporters an overview of the train’s first six months of operation.
Mr David added that travelers can benefit from six resorts, four airports, and ten Visitor Offices along the 1,500-kilometer railway system.
With more routes set to become operational in just several weeks, travelers will be able to access off-the-beaten-path destinations filled with stunning Mayan ruins and cultural wonders.
In addition to providing easier access to thus far remote destinations, the Maya Train delivers a completely new travel experience for visitors. The state-of-the-art carriages feature comfortable seating arrangements, exquisite culinary options, and excellent safety.
Travelers headed to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean this year are urged to purchase train tickets well in advance through the Maya Train website here.
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Thursday 25th of July 2024
200,000+ passengers. How many were paying passengers vs non revenue functionaries along for the ride.
What are the daily fixed operating cost vs revenue.
Please, AMLO vs Scheinbaum,don't commit to more rail projects. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the last six months of the year will not bode well for the MX economy.