Cancún Tests New 150-Passenger Buses

CANCÚN, Quintana Roo — On the afternoon of Thursday, August 21, the Governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa, announced the start of technical testing for 18.6-meter-long articulated buses with a capacity for 150 passengers in Cancún. This initiative is part of the public transportation modernization plan for the municipality of Benito Juárez.

Accompanied by the Director of the Quintana Roo Institute of Mobility (IMOVEQROO), Rafael Hernández Kotasek, the governor explained that these tests are being conducted without passengers and with specialized drivers. The purpose is to determine the viability of operating these large units on the city's main avenues.

The initial evaluations began on Thursday at three strategic points: on Colosio Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; on López Portillo Avenue from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and in the hotel zone from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A further test is contemplated for Friday on Tulum Avenue, scheduled from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., with the objective of assessing turns, U-turns, and mobility conditions on various stretches.

In a statement on social media, Governor Lezama said, "We are starting the tests of articulated buses in Cancún! With a capacity for 150 passengers, these units will travel the main avenues as part of the plan to modernize and dignify the public transportation that the people of Cancún deserve."

Mara Lezama detailed that the purpose of these tests is to determine if large-capacity units can adapt to Cancún's urban conditions and help reduce waiting times at bus stops, which during peak hours can exceed 40 minutes. She emphasized that these units would not replace all current buses but would be added to high-demand routes to guarantee faster and safer transit.

The tests also contemplate aspects of accessibility and inclusion, with designated spaces for people in wheelchairs, users with guide dogs, and specific areas that could be reserved for women, following mobility models implemented in other cities across the country.

The governor stressed that this process is part of a government that does not improvise but rather consults with citizens to define the best public transportation model. "We want a dignified, safe, and efficient system for the people of Cancún. These tests are the first step to making informed decisions together with the population," she stated.

Authorities noted that these evaluations will continue throughout the week and that the results will define the pertinence of integrating articulated buses into the public transportation system in Cancún. This effort is part of a broader modernization strategy that is also advancing in Chetumal.