CAF Seeks to Participate in the Mayan Train Project

A new FONATUR tender seeks to purchase rolling stock, including dual-fuel locomotives for the Mayan Train project. The Spanish firm CAF is on the list of companies that intend to supply material and equipment for this project.

This month, FONATUR published the details of a new tender for the Mayan Train project, which offers the procurement, testing and operation of 43 train wagons for the first five segments of the train. The tender describes the procurement and purchase of train components and technology, along with yard space to store, repair and refurnish the wagons, reported MBN.

In addition, it also requests maintenance contracts for up to five years that can fulfill such responsibilities. The registration period runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4, 2020 and the final decision will be announced on May 26, 2021.  

Maximiliano Zurita, Director of CAF Mexico, said that the plant located in State of Mexico was originally designed for national demand but currently, the plant is working in the production of 28 trains that will be sent to the Philippines, reported El Heraldo.

Zurita added that because of the company’s experience, CAF would be a good supplier for many national projects, including the Mayan Train and Mexico City’s Metro Line 1. According to the director, a CAF plant can make any train, from trams to high speed, and the company has all the equipment to perform static tests, reported El Economista.

Zurita said the company can offer manufacturing at a lower price, due to the reduction of costs resulting from Mexico’s cheap labor. He mentioned that even though other companies are working on Mexican projects, CAF has a higher degree of integration as a national supplier.

While its trains are 50 percent more expensive, only one part of the Mayan Train railway will be electrified. CAF also plans to offer trains that will not force people to get off to switch from one cart to another, which in the long term will save money and time, said Zurita to El Heraldo.

Zurita said CAF is one of the companies that are more enthusiastic about the tender and Lopez Obrador’s many other rail projects. While the tender winner will be announced in May 2021, the delivery of the first railroad car is expected for 2023, reported El Economista.