Cancun, Quintana Roo — The MOBI public transit system launched a month-long test run Monday on the new Nichupté Vehicular Bridge, connecting working-class neighborhoods to the hotel zone. Officials say the pilot program will benefit 170 residential areas by cutting commute times by 20 to 50 minutes.
The first route runs from the urban area onto the bridge via Kabah Avenue, covering the 11-kilometer span. A second, more conventional route enters directly from Kilometer Zero on Kukulcán Boulevard. Combined, the two circuits are expected to serve more than 320,000 residents.
Rafael Hernández Kotasek, director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute, said the service will consist of two circuits starting from the Cielo Nuevo subdivision in the Arco Norte area. The first, called “Puente Nichupté,” covers 65 kilometers with departures every 12 minutes, serving 155 superblocks and benefiting over 150,000 people. The second, “Kilómetro Cero,” spans 67 kilometers with 11-minute frequencies, covering 173 neighborhoods and serving nearly 160,000 residents.
The buses are state-of-the-art, equipped with GPS, ultra-low-emission EURO VI engines, and universal accessibility features including low floors, ramps for wheelchairs, priority seating, tactile guide paths, and Braille signage. Other amenities include special handrails, stop-request buttons, air conditioning, security cameras linked to the C5 command center, mobile connectivity, and bike racks.
Residents expressed relief at the prospect of faster, cheaper commutes. “It will save a lot of time for those of us who live deep in the urban sprawl,” said Edgar Cach. “We won’t have to wait in the sun for transport, and we’ll be able to get to and from work faster.” Another resident, Julia, noted that she currently spends nearly 100 pesos round-trip using multiple modes of transport. “I hope these new buses make our trips quicker and more comfortable,” she said.
The test phase will last one month. The first two weeks will be conducted without passengers to fine-tune vehicle performance. The following two weeks will be open to the public, with each bus carrying up to 80 passengers.
“We’re excited to drive across the Nichupté Bridge every day and enjoy the views with a modern, safe, and inclusive transit system,” said Danna García. “It will greatly benefit workers and local families.”
