The Mexican government has announced the official completion of civil works on the Campeche Section of the Maya Train, a major milestone in the ambitious project to connect Mexico’s southeastern states. The Campeche Light Rail, a cutting-edge driverless system, is now operational, marking a significant step forward for Latin America.
The Campeche Light Rail is a 15.2-kilometer Digital Rail Transit (DRT) system, built over just 15 months with an investment of 4.2 billion pesos and generating more than 6,600 direct and indirect jobs. This innovative technology uses electronic tags and magnetic spikes to enable fully automated operation, eliminating the need for human drivers.
The system will operate from five electric trains, each capable of carrying 300 passengers, equipped with climate control systems, universal accessibility features, security cameras, and real-time monitoring. The route includes 14 stations, adorned with cultural elements, urban art, and inclusive public furniture that reflects the “dignified and sustainable mobility” approach promoted by the Federal Government.
The project’s comprehensive urban modernization component has transformed the city’s urban environment through:
* Rehabilitation of parks and public spaces adjacent to the railway line
* Urban reforestation with native species to mitigate urban heat and increase rainwater harvesting
* Installation of a new low-consumption LED public lighting network
* Safe pedestrian crossings and trilingual signage (Spanish, Mayan, and Nahuatl)
* Community murals created by local artists and youth groups
President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the project as “an example of the new Mexican railway development model, which combines mobility, culture, sustainability, and social inclusion.” The operational trial phase will begin on July 20, with free service for all residents until August 1. Regular operation will commence on August 2, with a flat fare of 18 pesos per ride and 50% discounts for students, people with disabilities, and seniors.
The Campeche Light Rail is designed as a key connector system for the Maya Train, allowing direct transition from the interstate station to the urban fabric of Campeche’s capital. With this project, it is estimated that over 100,000 people will have daily access to an efficient, clean, and safe transportation system while improving territorial integration in south-southeast Mexico.
The President emphasized that this project serves as a pilot model for other medium-sized cities in the country seeking to promote local rail systems integrated with the Maya Train. The completion of civil works in Campeche reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to the progressive fulfillment of the Maya Train schedule, one of the flagship projects of the Fourth Transformation.
The full completion of work on all five sections is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, with regular operations beginning December 1. Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated that the current focus on infrastructure prioritizes not just large projects but those that truly transform people’s daily lives, with territorial justice, environmental sustainability, and social rights at the center of planning.
Source: Debate
