Deputies Approve Major Railway Reform to Boost Connectivity

On April 29, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a legislative reform aimed at revitalizing the country’s railway system. The reform initiative, introduced by President Claudia Sheinbaum, now heads to the Senate for constitutional effects.

The legislative package modifies five key legal frameworks: the Regulatory Law of Railway Services, the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration, the Federal Roads, Bridges and Motor Transport Law, the General Communication Routes Law, and the General Law of National Assets. Together, these updates establish a robust and modernized legal structure to guide the development of Mexico’s rail transport sector for decades to come.

Railways as a National Priority

At the heart of the reform is the designation of railway transport as a strategic area of national development. The State assumes direct responsibility for overseeing and developing this service, with the aim of improving mobility, fostering regional integration, and enhancing economic and tourism opportunities across the country. The initiative proposes expanding the rail system’s traditional focus on cargo to include an efficient, safe, accessible, and eco-friendly passenger service.

Sheinbaum’s proposal aligns with the broader objectives of the 2025-2030 National Development Plan and recent constitutional amendments that elevate passenger railway service as a priority area. The reform seeks to address longstanding gaps in public transport infrastructure while ensuring fair competition among all transport modes and reducing environmental impact, as MBN reported.

Creation of ATTRAPI: A New Era for Railway Governance

A key point of the reform is the establishment of the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI), a decentralized public agency with legal personality and technical and managerial autonomy. Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT), ATTRAPI will lead the construction, modernization, and maintenance of railway infrastructure. It will also oversee the issuance, modification, and revocation of related permits, fostering both public and private investment in railway and multimodal transport systems.

In parallel, the Regulatory Agency for Railway Transport will assume oversight responsibilities to ensure safety, transparency, and legal compliance in the operation and expansion of the rail network. This agency will enforce legal requirements, such as mandatory insurance policies for concessionaires and operators, to protect third parties and public infrastructure from potential damages.

Key Benefits and Strategic Goals

The proposed overhaul promises a number of benefits:

• Passenger mobility: Faster, safer, and more reliable transportation options.

• Environmental sustainability: Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by shifting commuters from road vehicles to trains.

• Regional integration: Enhanced connectivity across 3,500km of new rail lines serving 49 million people in 36 metropolitan areas.

• Legal certainty: Adoption of the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA) standard to update sanctions and indemnities in line with regulations.

Political Consensus and Concerns

While the reform garnered strong cross-party support — including backing from MORENA, PVEM, PT, and MC — some lawmakers raised concerns about the concentration of discretionary powers within the SICT. PAN Deputy Víctor Pérez, President, Communications and Transport Committee, emphasized the importance of legal safeguards and institutional checks to maintain investor confidence and protect community interests.

“This reform represents a strategic commitment to the future of our country. But its success will depend on transparent implementation, respect for the rule of law, and accountability,” says Pérez.