Another failure of the Tren Maya: government admits it will rely on freight to survive

The general director of the Tren Maya, Óscar Lozano Águila, recently admitted that the railway project will not reach its financial breakeven point before 2030. He assured that it will only be viable if a robust freight service is consolidated to complement the passenger service.

During a meeting with railway companies, Lozano Águila justified the failure by saying that "no passenger train in the world is profitable". He added that freight movement will be indispensable to maintain the train's operation in the south of the country.

In 2024, the Tren Maya caused only 275 million pesos in revenue. However, its operating expenses reached 2,837 million, resulting in a loss of 2,561 million in its first year.

A risky bet on freight transport

The government seeks to reverse the losses with freight operations starting in 2026. The goal is to transport up to 2 million tons of goods each year.

The strategy includes a dozen freight hubs along the route. Additionally, a 70-kilometer connection between Mérida and the port of Progreso is projected.

A failed model with high costs

The acknowledgment that the Tren Maya will be unviable without freight transport confirms the lack of technical and economic planning. The need for subsidies and additional works will further increase costs for the public treasury, affecting other national priorities.

The environmental impact has also been harshly criticized. Communities and local organizations denounce irreversible damage to ecosystems and lack of adequate consultation.

In this context, the Tren Maya represents another failed and unsustainable project of the federal government. Another one where propaganda surpassed real viability.