Cancun, Quintana Roo — Public transport operator Autocar has announced the purchase of 100 new buses for 550 million pesos, a move that could lead to a 3-peso increase in the current fare.
Francisco Palma Leal, chairman of Autocar’s board, said the 10.5-meter vehicles, manufactured by Chinese company Yutong, are expected to arrive in August and will immediately be integrated into the state’s Mobility for Quintanarroense Wellbeing system (MOBI).
The acquisition is part of a broader plan that includes restructuring and paving bus stop infrastructure to improve the user experience and optimize service.
Fare Adjustment and Mixed Payment Model
The payment model includes a possible 3-peso fare adjustment combined with a per-kilometer remuneration scheme, allowing a mixed payment for concessionaires through state and private funds, Palma explained.
“This is the product of a dialogue that had not occurred in many years; we even reviewed the mistakes of the Merida model, and rather than a fare adjustment, we discussed a mixed payment,” he said, acknowledging the role of the state Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo) in advancing the new model.
A special fund has been established to finance the system, ensuring the fare does not increase for the next ten years, providing stability for both operators and passengers.
The plan also includes creating new strategic routes, including two that will cross the Nichupte Bridge to improve connectivity between different areas of the city. Coverage will expand significantly to the hotel zone and growing neighborhoods along Kabah Avenue and beyond El Torito, serving thousands of residents and tourists.
Up to 600 New Buses in 10 Years
Authorities and operators project that within five to ten years, around 600 additional buses will be added, achieving near-total coverage of the urban area and its surroundings. Other consolidated transport groups, such as Turicun and Bonfil, are expected to join the transformation, investing in new fleets to consolidate MOBI as a more efficient and inclusive model.
MOBI: Quintana Roo’s Public Transport Overhaul
MOBI is the state government’s initiative to modernize public transport across Quintana Roo. Launched in November 2025 by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, the system was shaped by over 25,000 citizen consultations with students, workers, mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities.
In its first phase (2025-2027), MOBI operates an integrated bus network in Cancun, Chetumal, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres, directly benefiting more than 1.5 million residents. The new buses feature universal accessibility (low floor and ramps), air conditioning, WiFi, security cameras, GPS, USB ports, panic buttons, and real-time monitoring. Many are hybrid or electric, significantly reducing emissions.
