ARTF to Launch Passenger Rail Tenders Starting July

Public tenders for the new passenger rail routes Queretaro–Irapuato and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo will be launched in the coming days, with construction scheduled to begin in July 2025, announced Andrés Lajous, Head, Regulatory Agency for Railway Transport (ARTF). These projects are part of the Mexican government’s broader plan to develop over 3,000km of passenger rail lines.

Speaking at a seminar organized by the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF), Lajous highlighted that the construction of these two new routes will add 774km to the country’s passenger rail network. This comes in addition to ongoing works on the AIFA–Pachuca and Mexico–Queretaro routes, which began in March and April respectively, forming part of the first phase of the national rail expansion strategy.

Further, tenders for rolling stock and railway systems will also be issued in 2025, enabling the integrated deployment of various project components. A second phase of expansion is planned for next year, including connections to San Luis Potosi, Guadalajara, and part of the Pacific region. Specifically, demand has been identified between Los Mochis and Culiacan to establish a viable passenger service.

Lajous also announced that the total investment for this package of railway projects, including the 774km of passenger tracks, 70km of freight infrastructure from the Mayan Train reaching Progreso, and 170km along the Interoceanic Corridor, including a branch line to the Dos Bocas refinery, amounts to MX$157 billion (US$9.2 billion). The new passenger trains are expected to reach speeds of 160 to 200km/h, offering a fast and efficient transportation alternative for intercity travel across the country.

Additionally, Lajous noted that the creation of a new Integrated Trains and Public Transport Agency is in the final ratification stages in the Mexican Congress. This new agency will replace the ARTF and take on expanded responsibilities, including oversight of railway infrastructure and operations as established by the Railway Service Law, while also incorporating public transportation into its regulatory scope, aiming for a more comprehensive national mobility strategy, as previously reported by MBN.