TM Sourcing Announces The Start Of “El Bajío” Train
Home > Infrastructure > Article

TM Sourcing Announces The Start Of “El Bajío” Train

Photo by:   Pixabay
Share it!
María José Goytia By María José Goytia | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Tue, 02/22/2022 - 12:08

The citizens of El Bajío might soon be traveling in comfort and style. TM Sourcing announced that the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) has expressed interest in a non-formal proposal for the development of the railroad project that will connect Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Querétaro and Guanajuato. El Bajío Train is still to be approved by the SICT.

The project is called Tren El Bajío seeking to connect 12 stations and mobilize more than 40,000 daily passengers while connecting over 30 million people between five metropolitan areas in central Mexico (El Bajío). The train also seeks to provide a strategic connection with the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and the Mexico City-Toluca Interurban Train. El Bajío Train will run approximately 416 km and is forecast to be built over existing railway rights.

"We expect El Bajío Train to be a complement to Mexico City's Interurban Train and that it will even help generate demand for AIFA by connecting cities that are probably not contemplated so far for its use, as well as integrating it to Queretaro's Intercontinental Airport," said Adolfo González Olhovich, chairman of TM Sourcing’s board.

The initial investment will be MX$80 million (US$3.93 million) in 2022 aimed to conduct initial studies. For the total project, an investment of approximately MX$50 billion (US$2.46 billion) is projected over the next five years just for the railways alone, excluding the potential investment in real estate and business developments that will most likely be established along the route. The El Bajío Train is intended to be a sustainable investment since it transports a sufficient volume of passengers and is much cheaper than other means of transportation. The project seeks to be financed mostly by the private sector, which would put little pressure on public finances.

In November 2021, TM Sourcing, a financial services and infrastructure consulting firm, launched Ameriko Railways, Infrastructure & Real Estate, a massive private investment vehicle aimed at rail connectivity opportunities and real estate developments. The firm reports they have identified at least 50 projects in Mexico; where they plan to use existing rights of way to cater approximately 50 million people. In 2022 alone, Ameriko Railways is looking for developments estimated at MX$200 billion (US$9.84 billion), which will be launched between now and 2026.

The El Bajío Train is rapidly consolidating as a relevant project, as it will allow better connectivity between Mexico’s most dynamic economic region with Mexico City. Diego Sinhue, Guanajuato’s governor, and Mauricio Kuri, governor of Queretaro, celebrated the initiative to connect the Bajío region through railways and the private sector’s interest construction.

The train will require the collaboration of all sectors to succeed. "Allies are of huge importance. We hope that rail and cargo concessionaires, such as Kansas City Southern and Ferromex, will join the project, as well as landowners, ejidatarios and universities," emphasized González.

During the present administration, promotion of railway transportation has drastically increased after decades of abandonment and failed attempts from President Enrique Peña Nieto’s government to re-initiate the industry. President López Obrador committed to the construction of three railway lines in 2018: the Mayan Train, the Interoceanic Corridor and the culmination of the Interurban Train between Mexico City and Toluca. The interest of the private sector in the further development of railway transportation brings optimistic forecasts for improved mobility in the country.

Photo by:   Pixabay

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter