All aboard the Tren Maya! Mexico’s long-awaited and highly anticipated infrastructure megaproject is finally happening. At a press conference on February 27, Tren Maya Director General Óscar Lozano announced that operations will officially commence on December 1, 2023.
The Maya Train is set to be one of the most significant infrastructure works in the history of Mexico’s rail network. The project presents a unique opportunity to boost economic growth in the southeast region, creating jobs and supporting local manufacturing, while preserving natural areas, ecosystems and the environment. Additionally, the Maya Train will promote tourism and safeguard local indigenous cultures, making it a comprehensive mobility project that offers security, technology and comfort while connecting families, people and traditions.
The head of the Operations of Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA), Blas Andrés Núñez Jordán, also announced at the press conference that six hotels are being especially built for the Maya Train right by the ancient ruins of Palenque, Edzná, Nuevo Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, Tulum and Calakmul.
The Route
The Maya Train project is set to be completed on September 24, 2023, with test dates for the railway beginning in September before the official launch in December. On its first ride, the train will run a total of 15,000 kilometers along its route of 1,554 kilometers, taking passengers on a journey through 34 stations, around 7 nearby airports and 26 archeological zones, stopping in five different states: Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
What Will the Maya Train Look Like?
Tren Maya is not only about its function but also its form. The train will include 42 X’trapolisTM electric train cars constructed by Alstom. The exterior design is inspired by the Mayan culture, taking inspiration from the majestic jaguar, an endemic creature native to the region, with its elegance, speed and beauty. The trains will also reflect the varied colors and textures of regional art.
The interior design is inspired by a range of shades of blue, characteristic of the sea that surrounds the region, and different organic forms. The result of all these combinations is a contemporary train with a strong identity, which offers ample seating and luggage space, vertical shelves on each carriage and upper shelves from Alstom’s CoradiaTM.
The Maya Train will feature three types of trains:
- Xiinbal (walking): A standard regular service train that will allow passengers to enjoy a journey with large panoramic windows.
- Janal (eating): A restaurant car with comfortable spaces designed to enjoy regional cuisine, with a design inspired by the work of engineer and architect Luis Barragán.
- P’atal (staying): A train for long distances with comfortable cabins, day and night, making trips a unique experience.
Photos: Alstom
The Maya Train project will undoubtedly make a significant impact on Mexico’s rail network and the country as a whole. Not only will it boost economic growth in the southeast region, create jobs, support local manufacturing and further promote tourism, it will also help local communities to be stronger, more solid, and more sustainable. With the Maya Train, passengers will be able to explore Mexico’s amazing Yucatan Peninsula in a whole new light. So, start planning your itineraries, and get ready for an incredible journey aboard the Maya Train!
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