While millions of residents of the capital struggle to breathe every day in overcrowded train cars, there are stations in the city whose platforms remain practically empty. Knowing these underground oases makes it possible to plan faster routes, avoid unnecessary crowds, and understand how the metropolis actually moves during this hectic year of 2026.
The Contrast Within the Collective Transportation System
The Collective Transportation System (STC) of Mexico City has established itself as one of the busiest transportation networks in the world. Every day, the network moves millions of people to their workplaces and homes, generating the constant flow that characterizes urban life in the metropolis.
However, official reports from the Secretariat of Mobility reveal a fascinating disparity in the distribution of passengers. While some terminals collapse under the weight of demand, others operate with unusual tranquility, becoming truly deserted spaces even during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The Line With the Lowest Ridership in the Network
When analyzing the overall statistics, Line 4, which connects the terminals of Martín Carrera and Santa Anita, holds the undisputed title of the least-used route in the entire system. This line, recognizable by its cyan color and elevated viaduct, presents a very different panorama from the rest of the network.
Despite its strategic location near the historic center, this line carries an average of only 65,000 passengers per day. This figure is tiny compared with the more than half a million daily users who crowd other major routes such as Line 2 or Line 3.
This unusual phenomenon of low ridership occurs because the route primarily functions as a fast connection between other, longer lines. Most people use it only to transfer, which drastically limits the number of users entering directly through the turnstiles from the street.
Top 10 Least-Used Stations
To better understand this dynamic, it is necessary to review the ranking of the most sparsely used stations.
- Deportivo 18 de Marzo (Line 6) with only 1,218 daily passengers
- Santa Anita (Line 4) with 1,854
- Tlaltenco (Line 12) with 2,200
- Instituto del Petróleo (Line 6) with 2,529
- Consulado (Line 4) with 2,835
- Talismán (Line 4) with 2,900
- Hangares (Line 5) with 3,358
- Chabacano (Line 8) with 3,521
- Valle Gómez (Line 5) with 3,849
- Consulado (Line 5) with 4,517
These figures reflect only those who pay their entrance fee directly at these facilities.
Content creators and mobility analysts warn that the system counts transfers separately, which statistically penalizes these stations. Although the platforms may appear empty at the main entrances, the connecting corridors tell a different story, demonstrating that the network’s design remains vital to the city.
Source: informador
