CPKC to Conduct Mexico-Queretaro Rail Link’s Feasibility Study

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) started the feasibility study for a passenger train to connect Mexico City and Queretaro, two important industrial and business poles in the Central-Bajio region. 

During a conference, Oscar del Cueto, President, CPKC, reported that the company will start the economic feasibility study, which is expected to be delivered in 1H24. Del Cueto noted that, unlike other rail projects, the train could use cargo railroads to transport people. “What we are going to do is to conduct a study to determine the requirements regarding infrastructure, rolling stock, right-of-way, connectivity and number of stations, among other factors,” he said, adding that the company will cover the study’s costs as requested by President López Obrador. 

Del Cueto mentioned that the company launched a tender in the US, instead of Mexico, because the company could not find the required experience in cargo and passenger transportation locally. Once it gathers enough experts, the company will work jointly with Mexican companies to deliver the analysis. "As a country, we need passenger trains. There are routes that require more passenger services. We have services in the Chihuahua area, but there is a need to connect the states that comprise the Bajio region. The study must determine the level of demand," he commented.

Del Cueto mentioned that the company committed with the federal government to deliver the study’s result to the current administration of President López Obrador, later delivering a project portfolio to the next administration. The document will include the best investment model for the project, whether fully private, public or a joint venture between both sectors. 

Currently, CPKC holds the track concession for cargo operations, but not for passenger transport. Del Cueto stated that if the study determines that private investment would be more suitable, a company specialized in this area should be responsible for the operation. He also suggested that the government could oversee it, drawing from its experience in passenger transport with the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Mayan Train. However, neither of these projects is fully operational yet.

In the past, another company presented a proposal to develop the project. In 2022, TM Sourcing announced its intention to connect the Bajio Train project with the Mexico-Queretaro Train. The company envisioned a 12-station route between Mexico City and Guanajuato with a capacity of 40,000 passengers per day. According to TM Sourcing, the initial stage would have cost US$4 million, while the full project would have required US$2.5 billion for its construction. However, the Minister of Infrastructure, Jorge Nuño, stated that this project was canceled because the company did not meet the scheduled deadlines for delivering the required studies, as reported by MBN.