Mexico City Launches Taxi Renewal Program, Scrapping 300 Units

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada has launched the Individual Public Transport Replacement (Taxi) Program with the scrappage (chatarrización) of 300 taxis over 10 years old. She framed the initiative as part of a broader mobility agenda, with digital modernization—particularly a strengthened taxi app—set as a government priority for 2026.

Brugada emphasized that a core goal of the program is modernizing taxi technology through an  official app, enabling residents to request rides safely and easily, while enhancing the sector’s competitiveness against other platforms.

Héctor García, Minister of Mobility (SEMOVI), described the initiative as a government-and-taxi-sector platform designed to deliver competitive, high-quality service.

Brugada positioned the taxi strategy within a wider vision of building a city where residents can choose Metro, concessioned transport, or taxis and receive modern, safe, affordable, and increasingly sustainable service, aligned with the shift toward electromobility.

Fleet Renewal Incentives

To accelerate modernization, the program offers tiered subsidies:

• MX$120,000 (US$6,595)  for replacing a gasoline vehicle
   

• MX$150,000 (US$8,246) for a hybrid
   

• MX$200,000 (US$10,994) for a fully electric vehicle

The Integral Safety Program includes geolocation/GPS, panic buttons, onboard cameras, and monitoring support to protect passengers and drivers.

Scrappage Process

1. Public call sets eligibility criteria for taxi and microbus concessionaires

2. A Taxi Fair at the Velodrome allows concessionaires to review eligible models and select purchases

3. Documentation is reviewed and approved; concessionaires negotiate directly with dealerships

4. Support payments are delivered to the company, not individuals

5. Scrapped vehicles are drained of fuel and oil, safety-checked, compressed, and the remaining metal is processed, weighed, and credited back into the city’s trust mechanism

The program will expand in 2026, focusing on four pillars: fleet renewal (prioritizing electromobility), the taxi app, safety upgrades, and driver training—including tourism-oriented preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Officials noted that the first batch of renewed units will feature a special livery for the World Cup period, presenting new taxis as a visible “new face” of Mexico City’s mobility.