Sheinbaum Sends Rail Reform Proposal, Seeks New Transport Agency

The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Sergio Gutiérrez, has officially received a legislative initiative from President Claudia Sheinbaum aimed at overhauling the regulatory framework of the national railway system, including the creation of a new decentralized agency: the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI).

The proposal was published in the Parliamentary Gazette of the Chamber of Deputies and outlines significant reforms to multiple laws, including 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.

This reform seeks to designate the railway service as a strategic priority for national development, placing it under the direct stewardship of the State. The objective is to safeguard national sovereignty and public security while promoting the growth of the railway system in a way that ensures operational efficiency and fair competition among various transport modes.

According to the initiative, this reform is vital to addressing Mexico’s transportation and mobility challenges. It emphasizes the benefits of developing a public passenger railway service, which include:

• Reduced travel time between cities

• Increased safety during travel

• Fewer road incidents

• Improved quality of life for citizens

• Lower carbon emissions

The plan includes the development of new railway projects, with the development of 3,500km rail lines, that would connect over 49 million people across six urbanized zones, 11 municipal metropolises, and 19 metropolitan areas.

At the same time a key point of this initiative is the creation of the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI). This decentralized agency, under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT), will have legal personality, its own assets, and operational autonomy. ATTRAPI will oversee the construction, maintenance, and preservation of railway infrastructure to ensure its safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

The proposed agency will help coordinate the government’s railway initiatives, provide technical and strategic support to state and local governments, and strengthen oversight functions including regulation, supervision, and verification of both cargo and passenger rail systems. ATTRAPI will also ensure that new passenger stations are well integrated into urban environments and connected to local public transportation systems to maximize accessibility.

Additionally, the reform outlines goals to double the volume of cargo transported by rail through a network that spans approximately 17,000km. The proposal underlines the railway system’s critical role in economic development, mobility, and job creation. Strengthening this sector is seen as essential for reducing inequalities and stimulating regional economies, particularly in underserved areas.

The initiative further seeks to enforce stricter compliance through legal obligations, such as requiring valid guarantees and insurance policies for all concessionaires and permit holders. These measures aim to ensure proper compensation for third-party damages and protect the integrity of national railway infrastructure.

The document also aligns with previous 2023 reforms that allow for direct assignment of public transport operations to state-run entities. These assignments, designated for reasons of public interest or national security, will have indefinite durations and cannot be transferred to private parties, thereby maintaining them under federal control. The reform package calls for adjustments across various legal frameworks to ensure consistency and effective implementation.