Second Phase of Mexico-Toluca Train to Open on Aug. 31

President López Obrador announced that the second phase of the Mexico-Toluca Interurban Train “El Insurgente” will be inaugurated on Aug. 31, connecting the Lerma station to Santa Fe. This extension, which spans 29km, will cut travel time by up to 1.5 hours, benefiting over 5 million people in the State of Mexico and Mexico City.

The new Santa Fe station, located on the eastern side of the Santa Fe Shopping Center between Avenida Vasco de Quiroga and the Mexico-Toluca Highway, will operate from 6 AM to 11 PM daily. The 50km journey between stations will take 37 minutes at a maximum speed of 120km/h. Trains will run every 10 minutes, with fares ranging from MX$15 (US$0.771) to MX$90 (US$4.63) depending on the distance traveled.

The infrastructure for this second phase includes a metal arch viaduct, a 5km tunnel, two metal lattices, three mixed viaducts, two vehicular overpasses, and a combination of 17km of concrete viaducts and 1km of steel viaducts. 

This extension will integrate into a system that already includes 20 electric trains, each with a capacity for 718 passengers, and a total transport capacity of up to 235,000 people per day. The project has generated 17,000 direct jobs and 30,000 indirect jobs, with a total investment of US$5.1 billion.

Jorge Nuño, Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT), highlights that the system has been successfully tested, including its braking and electromechanical systems. The entire 58km route, featuring double electrified tracks, is designed to facilitate fast and efficient travel between Toluca and Mexico City.

The Santa Fe station will be a key hub in the transport network, featuring a Modal Transfer Center with 15 RTP units and three main routes: Metro Auditorio-Santa Fe, Parque de la Bombilla-Santa Fe, and Metro Balderas-Santa Fe. Additionally, concessioned transport will cover major avenues such as Santa Fe Avenue and Vasco de Quiroga Circuit.

The Vasco de Quiroga station, already completed, will connect with Cableway Line 3 and provide access to the Fourth Section of Chapultepec Forest. The Observatorio station will connect with Metro Lines 1 and 12, becoming one of the largest multimodal transfer centers in the country.

López Obrador highlights that the project is expected to improve residents’ quality of life and provide a more economical and efficient alternative to bus transportation. Martí Batres, Head, Mexico City government, adds that the project will benefit 231,000 residents of 48 neighborhoods and has created significant employment opportunities.