MOBI to Expand to Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres by Early 2027

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The MOBI public transit system will expand to Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres in early 2027, according to Rafael Hernández Kotasek, director general of the Quintana Roo Institute of Mobility (IMOVEQROO).

The expansion is part of a modernization and mobility strategy for the state. Hernández Kotasek said a mobility study for Playa del Carmen was completed in late July and identified three routes considered essential to meet growing demand.

“We just finished at the end of July the study with the routes needed in Playa del Carmen. For starters, there are three routes that we already discussed with the municipal president that look essential,” he said.

An estimated 70 to 80 vehicles will be needed to operate those first three routes, due to the municipality’s population growth. Although the last census recorded about 330,000 residents, Hernández Kotasek said Playa del Carmen now exceeds 360,000.

The study will be presented to Governor Mara Lezama to define the next steps and formally incorporate the municipality into the system.

“MOBI is already in Chetumal and Cancun, and in early 2027 Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen come on board,” he added.

New Routes for Cancun

While preparations continue for expansion to other municipalities, Cancun is testing Route 27, which will connect to the Nichupté area and Kilómetro Cero. The IMOVEQROO director said the official launch of the new routes could happen in August, once testing of fare collection, fleet management, and credentialing systems is complete.

One of the main changes is that MOBI will operate fully digitally, with no cash payments. Users will be able to use mobility cards, the MOBI app, or contactless debit and payroll bank cards.

Benefits for Students, Seniors and People With Disabilities

The system includes preferential fares for older adults, people with disabilities, and students, who must hold the appropriate credential to access the subsidy.

“Since it is 100% digital, any fare benefits that older adults, people with disabilities, and students receive are only through these credentials,” Hernández Kotasek said.

He clarified that presenting a national ID card (INE) alone will not be enough to qualify for the benefit, because credentialing allows the state government to track users and subsidized trips.

Currently, about 1,300 people are credentialed in Chetumal, out of a potential pool of more than 54,000 beneficiaries. In Benito Juárez, the target population for these groups exceeds 180,000.

Credentialing will be a permanent process with no expiration, allowing users to sign up as MOBI reaches their residential or work areas.

Finally, Hernández Kotasek stressed that bringing the system to the municipalities establishes a permanent public transit service, backed by concessions of up to 15 years.

“It is a permanent service. There is no deadline. The service will remain for as many years as the MOBI transport system operates, which will be many years,” he said.