MAYAN Train opened the latest section of the new line on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula as planned on February 29. The 45.6km electrified double-track Phase 3 runs from Cancún International Airport south to Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen.
Train pairs run in the early morning and evening for local workers, with three train pairs targeted at tourists running during the day.
The latest opening adds to the 699km already in service between Cancún and Palenque, where 42 Alstom X’trapolis DMUs are operating to a special timetable.
From March 4 seven electric buses began providing free transfers between the Mayan Train station and terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Cancún International Airport.
The president of Mexico, Mr Andrés Manuel López Obrador, previously told local media that opening of the remaining sections of the Mayan Train will be delayed by the upcoming general election on June 2, which he had previously set himself as the deadline for completing the 1525km project in full.
The new line is controversial with some local residents and environmental campaigners, who have queried the effectiveness of environmental audits.
On January 22, a federal judge temporarily stopped construction of Section 5 South, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, until confirmation of various studies and preventative measures to avoid groundwater contamination were provided.
Earlier sections of route have been served similar court orders.
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