Mérida, Yucatán — The Tren Maya has introduced the MayaPass, a new unlimited-travel ticket option for passengers on the Mérida-Tulum route. The pass, announced by the state-majority company Tren Maya S.A. de C.V., operated by the Mexican Army, comes ahead of the summer vacation season.
Financial Struggles Prompt New Strategy
The rail service reported losses of 2,561 million pesos in its first year of operation, excluding subsidies. In response, the Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario, de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos, Olmeca-Maya-Mexica (Gafsacomm), recently rebranded as Mundo Maya, is testing the MayaPass as a potential revenue-boosting measure.
Pricing and Validity
The MayaPass, valid for seven days, covers sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Tren Maya route. Prices are as follows:
- Local passengers: $2,399 MXN
- National passengers: $3,599 MXN
- International passengers (tourists): $4,899 MXN
Where to Purchase
The pass is exclusively available through the Tren Maya mobile app (Android and Apple) and cannot be bought at stations.
Route Details
The Mérida-Tulum route includes 12 stops (7 stations and 5 stops):
- Mérida Teya Station
- Tixkokob Stop
- Izamal Station
- Chichén Itzá Station
- Valladolid Station
- Nuevo Xcán Stop
- Leona Vicario Stop
- Cancún Airport Station
- Puerto Morelos Station
- Playa del Carmen Station
- Tulum Station
- Tulum Airport Station
Regular tickets for the Tren Maya can still be purchased at stations, additional sales points in Tourism Secretariats and shopping centers, or online.
Financial Challenges
The Tren Maya reported 275 million pesos in revenue from passenger transport and souvenir sales in 2024 but faced operating expenses of 2,837 million pesos, resulting in a 2,561-million-peso loss. General Óscar David Lozano Águila, director of the Tren Maya, has acknowledged that passenger operations are not yet profitable. The company anticipates breaking even by 2030, contingent on the completion of freight operations, currently under construction and expected to conclude in 2027.
The MayaPass initiative represents an effort to attract more users and improve financial sustainability amid ongoing challenges.
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