A recent video circulating on social media reveals several empty seats on the Maya Train, indicating that it's not being fully utilized by the local population of Quintana Roo. The train was initially intended to provide convenient transportation for regional passengers who commute between cities for work.
However, it's been found that fewer than 30 people currently use the Maya Train for commuting, with the majority of these passengers being tourists. The reason for this low usage is the cost comparison between the train and public transportation vans, particularly on the Cancun-Playa del Carmen route.
While a van charges 45 pesos for the journey, the Maya Train costs about 210 pesos. This price includes an initial 55 pesos for the bus to the station, an additional 100 pesos to board the train, and a further 55 pesos to reach the city center.
Given the high construction cost of over 150 billion pesos, workers in the Riviera Maya do not consider the train a profitable transportation option.
Despite President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's initial vision for the local population to be the main beneficiaries of the train, it appears to be more accessible to those with higher incomes. The Maya Train, which is still not fully completed, has become a luxury rather than a convenience for the locals.
Related: Maya Train Breakdown Strands Passengers; National Guard Prohibits Photography and Filming [https://quintafuerza.mx/yucatan/falla-del-tren-maya-deja-varados-a-pasajeros-impide-guardia-nacional-tomar-fotos-o-videos/]
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