Tren Maya Boosts Promotions as Passenger Numbers Drop

Exterior view of the Tren Maya station in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The Tren Maya station in Playa del Carmen is ramping up promotions and service offerings to attract more passengers amid a drop in ridership, according to station manager Rafael Cabrera.

Cabrera said the station saw peak days of up to 1,097 passengers during the recent high season, but daily averages have since fallen to between 300 and 400. To counter the decline, officials have introduced discounts for domestic and international tourists, children, and senior citizens.

Weekends see higher demand, driven largely by tourism packages and attractions such as the Parque del Jaguar, which offers free admission on Sundays, Cabrera noted.

The station operates routes to Mérida with connections to Palenque, as well as direct services to Chetumal with intermediate stops.

Passengers can leave their vehicles in the station parking lot for the duration of their trip, though Cabrera emphasized that the service is at the owner’s risk. “You can leave your car for days, for example, from here to Palenque and back without problems. The car stays here with us. We have the National Guard; I just mention that it is at the user’s responsibility,” he said.

Regarding the World Cup season, Cabrera noted an increase in foreign visitors using the train but declined to specify which nationalities are most represented.

He invited residents and tourists to take advantage of current promotions and explore the various travel options offered by the Tren Maya in the region.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx