Playa del Carmen Mobi Transit System to Run Entirely Cashless

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The Mobi public transit system will arrive in Playa del Carmen in early 2027 with three priority routes and a fully cashless payment model, according to the Institute of Mobility of Quintana Roo (Imoveqroo).

The system will need a fleet of 70 to 80 buses to begin operating, based on a mobility study completed in July. The study identified three priority routes in response to rapid population growth in the municipality of Solidaridad, which now exceeds 360,000 residents — surpassing the latest census projections.

Imoveqroo Director Rafael Hernández Kotasek said the project will be presented to Gov. Mara Lezama to formalize the incorporation of Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres into the Mobi network. The launch will expand service to four municipalities, joining Chetumal and Cancún.

In Cancún, Route 27 is scheduled to begin operations in August 2026, connecting the Nichupté area with Kilometer Zero after tests of the charging system, fleet management and credential logistics are completed.

Digital-only payments

Mobi will operate entirely without cash. Passengers will pay using physical mobility cards, the MOBI App, or contactless debit and payroll cards. Discounts for seniors, students and people with disabilities require an official state-issued credential, with no expiration date.

“It’s a permanent service with no deadline. The service will stay as long as the Mobi transportation system remains, backed by agreements of up to 15 years,” Hernández Kotasek said.