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After the huge build-up in anticipation of the Maya train and how it would transform transportation for travelers in the Mexican Caribbean, it’s safe to say that there have been a few teething problems since the service opened in mid-December 2023.
One of the most infamous disruptions so far occurred on the Cancun to Palenque section of the Maya train, where a major technical fault was reported that left passengers delayed for over 6 hours.
This disruption highlighted serious issues with the online ticketing system and its suitability, forcing the closure of the system that was in place and the suspension of online ticket sales.
Thankfully, the situation has now been rectified, and a new fit-for-purpose website for online ticketing is now live.
New Official Ticketing Website
Travelers hoping to enjoy the new freedom, speed, and comfort offered by the Maya train service will be happy to see how fast the ticketing issues have been rectified.
For booking online tickets, travelers can now visit the following link:
It is advised that travelers always check carefully that the website they are using for purchasing tickets is the one linked above and that it carries the gob.mx extension, which is only found on official Mexican government websites.
In the past, cybercriminals have targeted tourists with cloned websites to collect banking information, and while no concerns have been raised around the Maya train regarding this, it always pays to be careful.
A Fast Response
It’s easy to criticize the government for these early hiccups with the Maya train service, and it certainly isn’t unfounded to do so, but it’s also worth taking a step back and recognizing the response to these issues.
Considering the scale of the issue, which widely affected online ticketing, it’s commendable how fast a fix has been rolled out.
In the past, there have been incidents across different areas of the Mexican Caribbean tourism sector that have come under criticism from both travelers and locals who received a slow and bureaucratic response that can sometimes drag on for weeks, even months.
In contrast, the new online ticketing system to fix this issue with the Maya train has taken just 6 days, and when looked at alongside other changes in the attitude of authorities to their responsibilities in the past few years, shows a super-positive direction for the Mexican Caribbean and how it is run.
In-Person or Online?
Travelers can purchase tickets for the Maya train both online and in person at one of the ticketing kiosks located at the stations.
However, travelers are highly advised to pre-purchase online to secure their seats. While they can be purchased in person, the service is predicted to be hugely popular, and it could seriously disrupt visitors’ travel plans if they cannot get a ticket on the day.
Expectations
Naturally, travelers will feel skeptical about the Maya train’s reliability after this incident, which is unfortunate considering the huge difference this new service can make for travelers.
Travel times across the whole Yucatan peninsula are being brought down to levels suitable for day trips, and the service opens up many attractions and destinations to visitors that in the past required a much stronger commitment to adventure.
Additionally, while train travel is famously reliable, all forms of transport have their off days. Flights get canceled or delayed, buses can break down or be stuck in flash traffic, and ferries can be canceled due to bad conditions at sea.
No form of transport is a sure thing, but the Maya train is still a reliable and worthy choice for travelers who want to explore the Mexican Caribbean’s huge cultural and historical wealth.
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