Inaugurated in December 2023 as the flagship project for the development of southeastern Mexico, the Tren Maya has accumulated two and a half years of operation with modest results. With over 1,500 kilometers of tracks and a budget exceeding 25 billion dollars, the service runs through Quintana Roo and Yucatán without achieving the expected passenger flow or the promised economic growth. A Reuters report reveals that communities near the railway remain trapped in poverty, without well-paying jobs or basic services.
Cutting-edge technology does not solve the absence of real demand 🚄
The Tren Maya implements state-of-the-art signaling and control systems, with trains reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. However, the high-tech infrastructure clashes with a reality of semi-empty stations and uninhabited hotels. Ridership data shows that the cars operate well below their installed capacity. Investment in modern rails and cars has failed to attract local passengers or international tourists, who prefer flights or buses offering more direct routes and lower prices.
The bullet train nobody wants to take 🚃
It turns out that having a train with air conditioning and reclining seats is not very useful if passengers don't show up. Local residents, who hoped to leave behind the old rickety bus, now watch the empty train pass by while they continue using the same transportation as always. The hotels built around the stations look like movie sets: beautiful, modern, and completely deserted. At least the cars have enough space for the few travelers to stretch their legs without bothering anyone.