Bacalar’s Maya Train Station Leaves Taxi Drivers Waiting

Chetumal — Although the Maya Train station in Bacalar represented an opportunity for taxi drivers to generate income, the low number of passengers arriving at or departing from the terminal has limited the economic benefits expected by the local transport sector. Very few transfer services are provided from the train terminal to the city center or vice versa.

Secretary General Jimmy Vázquez Borges said that although taxi operators offer affordable fares, have tried to establish better connectivity, and have official stops, the reduced flow of users makes the service unprofitable for drivers.

“We continue working with the station manager, and when passengers arrive, they request the necessary vehicles, and we send them,” Vázquez Borges said. “But right now, there isn’t much tourism traveling by train, and that’s why they don’t request many taxis. We only send about 10 daily, unlike the 50 or 70 they requested when operations began. But the number of passengers has decreased in recent months, and frankly, at the moment it’s not a profitable option, because very few people choose to travel by train to get to Bacalar or leave from here.”

With the low season underway, drivers are choosing to concentrate on the urban area or other areas of the Magical Town in order to attract passengers and obtain income, even though demand has decreased considerably. That decline also affects the economy of drivers and the families that depend on this activity.

He noted that despite this, transportation fares have remained stable and unchanged. They agree with Imoveqroo that no union should be authorized to raise public transport fares in 2026, and they support keeping fares unchanged for the remainder of the year, although they do not rule out requesting another adjustment to their rates in 2027.

“It has been very low, and the operators say that it has been difficult for them to cover their expenses, both for the vehicle and for the car owner,” he said. “We hope that demand will improve. We understand that the economy throughout the state is in the same situation, and we really agree with Imoveqroo at this time not to raise fares, because it would affect users’ wallets. I don’t think it’s convenient to increase the fare right now; we are fine for now with the prices we have, but next year we will request new rates.”

He indicated that increases in fuel, spare parts and maintenance of the units make it necessary to revisit the issue of updating fares, so at the beginning of the year they will define the percentage they will propose.