Mexico-Queretaro Train to Receive US$7 Billion Investment

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) has announced an investment of MX$144 billion (US$7.05 billion) in the construction of the Mexico-Queretaro passenger train, which will benefit over 5.6 million people. 

The train is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will feature a dedicated double track for its operation. The railway infrastructure will include 225km of double track, with trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 200km/h, reducing travel time between Mexico City and Queretaro to just one hour and 50 minutes.

The train’s main stops will include Buenavista in Mexico City, Tula, San Juan del Rio, and Queretaro. The project is expected to generate 180,000 jobs, including 69,000 direct jobs. 

Andrés Lajous, Head, Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF), also announced a second phase of the project, the Queretaro-Irapuato Train, which will feature 110km of exclusive double track. This phase will require an investment of MX$73 billion (US$3.57 billion) and will benefit 3 million residents in Queretaro and Guanajuato. This section will allow speeds of up to 200km/h, with a travel time of less than one hour and a time-saving of about 30%.

The construction of the Queretaro-Irapuato Train will take place between 2025 and 2027, with operations expected to begin in 2028. This railway system will be integrated with public transportation in Queretaro, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato, generating 88,000 jobs, including 30,000 direct and 58,000 indirect jobs.

Studies and engineering work are being conducted to begin construction in July 2025. Lajous says that the passenger train will bring numerous benefits, including: economic spillover through railway construction; connectivity between cities, communities, and metropolitan areas; reduction of traffic congestion on highways and major city access points; faster and more punctual travel; increased safety in transportation; reduced carbon footprint through clean and collective transportation; and enhanced travel experience and comfort.