Tulum-Playa del Carmen Transport Crisis: Ridership Drops 50%

Tulum, Mexico — The passenger transport route between Tulum and Playa del Carmen is facing one of its most critical periods, with a nearly 50% reduction in ridership and a direct impact on drivers' daily earnings, according to Moisés Pool, leader of the National Union of Transporters for Change (UNTRAC) in Tulum.

Economic Adjustments Amid Declining Demand

Pool confirmed that while the fleet of vehicles remains unchanged, the drop in demand has forced economic adjustments. "We have rolled back the daily payments for operators. The season has slowed significantly, and with it, the earnings," he stated.

An agreement among the three unions operating the route has reduced daily payments per driver by 200 pesos, from 1,500 to 1,300 pesos. Pool explained that the measure aims to alleviate financial pressure on drivers but acknowledged the severity of the situation: "We are at 50% less today."

Sharp Decline in Ridership

The figures underscore the scale of the problem. A year ago, approximately 70,000 passengers traveled daily between the two cities. Currently, the flow ranges between 30,000 and 35,000 passengers. This decline affects both individual incomes and union operations, which cannot expand their fleet due to the lack of users.

Experts Warn of Tourism Dependency

Urban mobility experts attribute the drop in demand to the sector's reliance on tourism, making it vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations. They warn that without measures to diversify the user base or adjust fares proportionally, incomes will continue to decline, threatening the financial stability of families dependent on this service.

Temporary Measure with Long-Term Risks

UNTRAC emphasized that the reduction in payments is a temporary solution to keep routes operational. However, the union acknowledged that losses per vehicle amount to several hundred pesos daily. If the trend continues, the Tulum–Playa del Carmen route could face further deterioration in operational capacity and service quality.