Integral Development of the Mayan Train Project

The Mayan Train has transported 1.7 million passengers since the start of its operations in 2023. The federal government considers the project still holds potential for further development in the tourism and freight sector to transport goods to North and Central America. 

During the Mexico Business Summit 2025 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Brigadier General Germán Redondo, Head of the Corporate and Commercial Strategy Unit, Mayan Train, reported that the train has transported 1,735,405 passengers since the start of its operations on Dec. 16, 2023. Redondo noted the 1,554km railway, which features 34 stations, was executed over four years. "Four years is a very significant timeframe. No project of this magnitude has ever been developed in such a short period of time. Not only was it constructed, but it is already operational,” Redondo notes.

Operational data from Dec. 2023 to Oct. 24, 2025, shows that national tourists make up the largest share of passengers at 37.75%, followed by local passengers at 28.42%, special ticket holders at 27.41%, and international passengers at 6.42%. The two most successful routes are Merida–Cancun Airport and back.

The passenger service currently runs 20 daily services across seven routes, utilizing a portion of its 42-train fleet. The fleet, which is being built in Ciudad Sahagun, Hidalgo, with 70% national content, includes 32 hybrid trains and 10 diesel trains. These are divided into regular, long-distance, and restaurant car configurations. "We are also trying to consolidate this as a mobility system, and not just as a tourist train. We are aiming for people to adopt it as an alternative to road travel, as the train offers many more advantages than the bus, for example," Redondo added.

The project also includes a security plan, with 3,200 elements from the National Guard dedicated to securing the infrastructure and passengers through patrols, onboard surveillance, and security checkpoints. Environmentally, Redondo says the project includes 546 fauna passages and the creation of four new national parks. 

Freight Integration and Investment Plan

Redondo outlined a two-phase plan for integrating a freight service, designed to connect the entire North American rail system and align with the Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT).

Phase one, from 2025 to 2026, includes the construction of multimodal terminals at Palenque, Progreso, and Cancun, and a distribution terminal at Poxila. This phase also involves establishing fuel transport capabilities to the Cancun International Airport. Phase two, expected to be deployed in 2027, will add a multimodal terminal in Chetumal and operation patios in Valladolid, Escarcega, Xpujil, and Pomuch. The freight network is intended to transport fuel, steel, cement, grains, and intermodal services.

The government is also promoting investment opportunities in two priority areas: tourism, including hotel infrastructure and tour packages, and industry, focusing on logistics, agro-industry, and manufacturing, with opportunities for public-private partnership (PPP) schemes in industrial parks.