Maya Train Runs on 97% Federal Subsidies in First Year

Cancún, Mexico — During its first year of operation, the Maya Train, the flagship project of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, generated only 2.3% of its total revenue from passenger ticket sales in southeastern Mexico, while the remaining operational costs were covered by multimillion-dollar federal subsidies.

Heavy Reliance on Federal Funds

According to financial statements from the Maya Train, available on the National Transparency Platform, the railway project—administered by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena)—earned 299.8 million pesos ($17.4 million) from ticket sales and other services in its first full year.

In contrast, the federal government transferred 12.867 billion pesos ($747 million) in fiscal resources to sustain the train’s operations and complete unfinished construction, which did not prevent its gradual inauguration.

Official data reveals that the average cost per passenger on the Maya Train during its inaugural year was 431 pesos ($25). Additionally, the train operated at a loss for 11 months, requiring up to 151 million pesos ($8.8 million) per month to remain functional.

Future Projections and Challenges

For 2025, Sedena aims to transport 1.2 million tourists, increasing revenue from ticket sales. However, the project is expected to continue operating at a loss, maintaining its dependence on subsidies—primarily funded by the Non-Resident Fee (DNR) charged to foreign tourists entering Mexico.

Authorities project that the railway could break even by 2026, coinciding with the planned launch of freight transport services in July of that year, which may strengthen its finances. Despite these efforts, the Maya Train remains heavily reliant on federal funding.