Mayan Train Report: Advances on Sections 5, 6, and 7

Nearly a month after its inauguration, the third stage of the Mayan Train, encompassing Sections 5, 6, and 7, approaches completion. The train now transports 800 passengers daily, say authorities.

Sections 5, 6, and 7 will be concluded by February 2024, says Oscar Lozano, Director General, Mayan Train. Thus, the train will unlock access to various archaeological sites and tourist destinations along the route.

The three sections comprise 621.3km from northern Quintana Roo to central Campeche, with 366.8km of double-electrified track and 254.5km of single track. Section 5 crosses from Cancun Airport to Tulum, Section 6 from Tulum to Chetumal Airport, and Section 7 from Chetumal Airport to Escarcega, Campeche.

Section 5 North reports 80.01% completion, including 43.3km of double electrified track, viaducts, fauna passages, and drainage works. Meanwhile, Section 5 South reports advances in elevated viaducts, catenary network installation, and the completion of the Playa del Carmen station and the 300m Jaguar's Claw cable-stayed bridge.

Section 6, which features 255.8km of double electrified track on viaducts and embankments, stands at 74.03% completion. It incorporates key structures like an access bridge to the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport and the Buenavista elevated viaduct.

Section 7’s single-track section stands at 73.56% completion. In this part, SEDENA is collaborating on the completion of vital projects like the Ucum viaduct and the Sergio Butron Casas vehicular bridge.

The Mexican Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is also installing 1.8 million sleepers, 2.8 million m3 of ballast, 123,000 tons of rail, and 14 electrical substations to ensure optimal operations across the route. The Military Engineering Directorate is building two Mayan Train Hotels in Tulum and Calakmul, with completion standing at 41.38% and 63.10%, respectively.

Mayan Train Operations

During its first month of operations, the Mayan Train sold 15,579 tickets for 144 trips over 18 days. Preoperational services, using four 221-passenger trains, successfully transported over 800 passengers daily on the Cancun Airport-Palenque and Palenque-Cancun Airport routes.

Based on ticket sales, the most popular routes include: San Francisco Campeche to Cancun Airport, San Francisco Campeche to Merida-Teya, Merida-Teya to Cancun Airport, Cancun Airport to Valladolid, and Merida-Teya to Valladolid.