Government Expropriates 77 Properties for AIFA-Pachuca Train

The Federal Government has formalized the expropriation of 77 privately owned properties to facilitate the construction of the AIFA-Pachuca Train. The train is expected to fully connect AIFA with northern Mexico City. The measure was codified through a decree published in the Federal Official Gazette (DOF), authorizing the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) to occupy the designated land immediately.

The decree covers a total area exceeding 218,000m² distributed across eight municipalities: Mineral de la Reforma, Tizayuca, Tolcayuca, Villa de Tezontepec, Zempoala, and Zapotlan de Juárez in Hidalgo, as well as Tecamac and Temascalapa in the State of Mexico. The order applies to the land as well as any existing constructions or installations on the properties.

While the occupation of assets is immediate, the decree stipulates that property owners retain the right to challenge the indemnification amount through judicial procedures provided in the Expropriation Law. Owners have 10 business days following notification to initiate this process, though legal challenges regarding compensation will not suspend the government's occupation of the land. Additionally, a reversion clause allows former owners to reclaim assets if they are not utilized for their intended purpose within five years.

Route Scope and Travel Times

The Lecheria–AIFA branch is designed as an extension of Suburban Train Line 1, adding 23.7km of rail infrastructure with six intermediate stations and an airport terminal station, enabling a full trip of 43 minutes from Buenavista to AIFA under regular operations.

According to the federal government, civil works for the project are 92% complete. Remaining tasks include the installation of automatic signaling systems, operational testing, and the construction of pedestrian bridges. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the system is expected to be ready for use by 1Q26, aiming for operations to begin by Holy Week.

Regarding the project's operational scope, ARTF Director General Andrés Lajous Loaeza indicated that the system will utilize convoys with a capacity exceeding 700 passengers. The agency estimates that the Tren Interurbano CDMX-AIFA-Pachuca will serve approximately 107,000 daily passengers on the segment connecting Buenavista with Pachuca. This line will operate alongside the Tren Suburbano Lechería-AIFA, which is projected to handle a daily demand of 82,621 passengers.