The director-general of Mexico’s highly anticipated Maya Train project has acknowledged that passenger operations will not be profitable, sparking concerns about the initiative’s financial viability.
General Óscar David Lozano Águila revealed that freight operations are essential to reach the estimated break-even point by 2030. According to the official, no railway company globally can generate profits solely from passenger services.
“The reality is that no company anywhere in the world serving passengers on a railway system is profitable,” said General Lozano Águila. “That’s why the Mexican government has committed to supplementing passenger transportation. The key to achieving this lies in providing necessary resources.”
To achieve financial sustainability, the Maya Train project will focus on recovering existing freight infrastructure, specifically the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Railway. Intensive work is underway with companies requiring these services and stakeholders along the route.
A crucial milestone was marked earlier this year when the first phase of construction for the freight infrastructure commenced in April 2025. The official noted that freight transportation on the Maya Train circuit is set to begin in July 2026, with projected annual operating capacity reaching 2 million tons.
Phase one of the project will be launched in 2026, with the entire infrastructure expected to be completed by 2027. General Lozano Águila emphasized the importance of securing agreements for freight transport from local and national industries before the start of operations in 2026.
“We aim to have as many freight transport agreements in place by July 2026,” he stated, adding that various factors will influence this goal. However, efforts are being made to achieve a significant number of agreements.
The Maya Train project has been touted as a game-changer for Mexico’s economy and infrastructure development. The government’s commitment to supplementing passenger transportation with freight operations highlights the challenges faced by this ambitious initiative.
Source: Diario de Yucatan
