ATTRAPI Reviews Buenavista-Pachuca Train Design Ahead of Delivery

ATTRAPI reviewed the full-scale design of the Buenavista-Pachuca train ahead of the first unit’s arrival, advancing Mexico’s passenger rail expansion plans.

Mexico is moving closer to the launch of the Buenavista-Pachuca passenger rail service as the Agency of Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) reviewed a full-scale model of the train’s interior and exterior design, assessing passenger comfort, accessibility, and operational features before the first unit arrives in the country.

Andrés Lajous, Head, ATTRAPI, inspected the 1:1 mock-up developed by Chinese manufacturer CRRC. The review focused on cabin ergonomics, seating finishes, handrails, luggage racks, areas for bulky items, and bicycles, as well as spaces designated for passengers with disabilities.

The exercise is part of the final design-validation process for the electric trains that will operate on the Buenavista-Pachuca route, which will connect Mexico City, the State of Mexico and Hidalgo. ATTRAPI said the first completed train is expected to be shipped from China in July.

Each of the 15 electric trainsets under production is expected to measure 102m and accommodate up to 893 passengers. The units will also include CCTV systems, digital information screens, and onboard public-address systems to support passenger orientation and operational communication.

Once the technical review is completed, ATTRAPI plans to open the mock-up to the public free of charge, allowing prospective users to see the train’s interiors before the service begins operations. The agency said the announcement will be made through its official social media channels.

Passenger Experience Becomes a Core Design Requirement

While the Buenavista-Pachuca project is primarily an infrastructure initiative, the review of seating, accessibility features, and passenger circulation shows that operational readiness is becoming increasingly important as Mexico expands its passenger rail network.

For the route, capacity and accessibility will be central considerations. The corridor is expected to serve daily commuters traveling between Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, and Mexico City, while also creating a direct connection with the Felipe Ángeles International Airport area.

The inclusion of bicycle spaces, luggage areas and accessible zones suggests the service is being designed to integrate with different travel needs, from daily commuting to airport-related trips and intermodal mobility. Digital displays, surveillance cameras, and audio announcements will also be needed to support safe and efficient passenger flows across a high-volume corridor.

The public presentation of the mock-up could also provide ATTRAPI with an opportunity to gather feedback before final production and deployment decisions are completed.

Buenavista-Pachuca Within ATTRAPI’s 2030 Rail Roadmap

The Buenavista-Pachuca line is one of the first projects advancing under ATTRAPI’s institutional strategy for 2026–2030, which places passenger rail expansion, freight competitiveness and urban mobility integration at the center of Mexico’s transport agenda.

ATTRAPI’s roadmap calls for the development and planning of more than 3,000km of passenger rail lines during the current administration. The strategy identifies 13 priority rail corridors intended to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic development, and expand access to more sustainable transport alternatives.

Beyond passenger services, the program also establishes a goal of improving the competitiveness, safety, and productivity of rail freight. ATTRAPI’s plan seeks to strengthen logistics connectivity, reduce transport costs, and support a more integrated national rail system in which passenger and freight networks can operate with greater efficiency.

The agency’s third strategic objective focuses on urban, suburban, and interurban public transport services, particularly in metropolitan areas and cities linked to new rail corridors. This approach positions projects such as Buenavista-Pachuca not only as rail investments but also as components of wider mobility systems.

Under the 2030 vision, ATTRAPI aims to consolidate a rail system with specialized infrastructure for freight and a separate passenger network capable of providing more reliable, safe, and accessible services. The Buenavista-Pachuca project will be an early test of how this model can work in practice.