Struggling Maya Train Fails to Win Over Locals

In Villas del Sol, a bustling community on the Yucatan Peninsula, the Maya Train railway struggles to attract riders. Despite a significant daily population movement to jobs in the Riviera Maya and Cancún hotels, locals find the train service impractical due to its cost and inconvenient routes. With a population of up to 150,000, Villas del Sol contributes a significant portion of the labor force in the region. Yet, locals overwhelmingly prefer traditional transportation methods over the railway project introduced by President López Obrador.

Villas del Sol is part of the tourist municipality of Solidaridad, where the Playa del Carmen train station was constructed. This station links to the Cancún Airport station via a 43.3 kilometer railway, passing through Puerto Morelos. However, the train's six daily trips between Playa del Carmen and Cancún are sparsely populated. Each trip takes between 50 to 60 minutes, and residents complain that the train routes often take them further from their destinations rather than closer. Additionally, frequent delays make the train an unreliable option. Even tourists heading to or from Cancún International Airport rarely choose the train due to its indirect route.

Instead, around 20,000 people daily opt for road transportation, such as ADO buses and van-type trucks. These vehicles offer direct routes to the Riviera Maya hotels and Cancún International Airport, and also serve a wider range of communities. In contrast, the Maya Train's routes are more limited.

The Maya Train, operated by the military-run company Maya Train, SA de CV, is currently struggling financially. Operating costs are exceeding ticket sales and food revenue, and the service is further hampered by ongoing mechanical issues.