“Maya Train: 264K Passengers in 6 Months! All Aboard the Southeast Adventure!”

Mexico has ushered in a new era of land tourism with the inauguration of the Maya Train, a key project under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration. In its first six months of operation, the railway has transported 246,000 passengers, as reported by the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF).

The Maya Train is not just a transportation system, but also a significant driver of economic growth in the southeast region of the country. It not only offers efficient connectivity through modern railway infrastructure but also enhances the tourism sector, attracting investments and creating jobs.

The railway, currently used for tourism and passenger transportation, spans 1,554 kilometers and is divided into seven sections. These sections run from Palenque to Escárcega, Escárcega to Calkiní, Calkiní to Izamal, Izamal to Cancún, Cancún to Tulum, Tulum to Chetumal, and finally, Chetumal to Escárcega.

The train route traverses five states: Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, passing through 36 municipalities where 34 stations are located. Additionally, the route includes 10 visitor service centers, three emerging tourist parks, six hotels, and four airports. The first five sections were inaugurated on December 16th last year by President López Obrador, with the train currently operating from Palenque, Chiapas, to Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.

Joao Pedro Parreira, President and CEO of Mota-Engil Latin America, expressed pride in the Maya Train project, noting how it has benefitted local communities. Section 1, which was assigned to this Portuguese company, was built on Chiapas, Tabasco, and Campeche since 2020.

The Maya Train operates on the existing railway right-of-way from Palenque to Mérida, with some route adjustments, which has allowed savings on construction and expedited operation without waiting for environmental approval for significant flora and fauna impacts.

According to data from Sedena, out of the 246,000 passengers transported in the first half-year, 100,000 have been national and international tourists. However, the system still has room for improvement, particularly with the online ticket sales systems, which currently lacks options for planning trips in advance or for same-day travel.

For travelers interested in experiencing this new railway journey, there are two options: premier class and tourist class. For a national traveler in the premier class, a ticket from Palenque to Cancún airport costs 3,391 pesos, while international prices may vary.