Mexico-Toluca Train To Fully Operate By January 2026

President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced that civil and electromechanical works of the México-Toluca “El Insurgente” Train are now substantially advanced, enabling the start of a three-month testing phase that will allow the service to open fully to the public by late January 2026. Once operational, the route will reduce travel time between Toluca and Mexico City from two and a half hours to approximately 40 minutes.

“Just as we committed, we have finished the civil works of the Mexico City-Toluca train. Electromechanical systems are practically complete, and now the testing period begins, including system certification and signaling checks,” says Sheinbaum.

The full route from Zinacantepec to Observatorio will transform connectivity between the Toluca Metropolitan Area and the Valley of Mexico. Observatorio Station, described by Sheinbaum as the most significant of its kind ever built in the country, will serve as a multimodal hub linking the El Insurgente Train, Metro Lines 1 and 12, the Cablebús Line 3, the RTP network, and the Terminal de Autobuses Poniente, as well as future electric transport projects.

Claudia Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City, emphasizes the collaboration between federal and state authorities and the private sector in turning the new Observatorio complex into “the great western gateway of the capital.”

State of Mexico Governor Delfina Gómez highlights that the new connection will directly improve daily life for residents. Shorter commute times mean more hours spent with family and better mental well-being, she noted.

According to Andrés Lajous, Head of the Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF), El Insurgente will operate with a fleet of 20 trains capable of transporting 140,000 passengers daily. Early service between Zinacantepec and Lerma has already recorded strong demand, moving 12.6 million passengers to date, with an average of 22,000 travelers per day.

Jorge Mendoza, Director General, Banobras, underscores the financial and mobility benefits of the project. The upcoming extension to Observatorio will offer tickets priced between MX$15 and MX$90 (US$0.82 and US$4.89) depending on the distance traveled, a more affordable option compared to current bus fares of approximately MX$112 (US$$6.09) for the same journey.

The project’s engineering is regarded as globally unique. Adriana Cardona, Director General of Railway Projects, details the 46.6km viaduct’s special design incorporating tension cables, steep gradients, and continuous curvature. Electromechanical works including track, catenary, and conduits are now in place from Santa Fe to Observatorio.

Daily ridership at the new Observatorio complex is expected to exceed 20,000 passengers initially, more than tripling the current activity at the Santa Fe station.