THE Mexican government together with the state government of Nuevo León have signed an agreement with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to study the introduction of a suburban passenger service on a 75km line serving the northeastern city of Monterrey.
The existing freight line runs east-west, connecting the towns of Pesquería and García via the centre of Monterrey. The plans call for the construction of an additional track adjacent to the existing freight line. The line will have 26 stations and will support the operation of 100km/h passenger trains.
Monterrey already has a 39.3km metro system but this is limited to the city centre with no passenger rail connections to the regional towns outside of the city.
CPKC’s Kansas City Southern de México subsidiary holds the concession from the Mexican government to operate the existing line. Under the agreement, it will provide information to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) and the government of Nuevo Leon. Kansas City Southern de México .
Detailed planning work for Monterrey Suburban Train route will now be undertaken with an initial budget of $US 1.5m allocated by the governments.
Passenger revival?
Separately the Mexican government has invited the main rail freight concessionaires operating in the country to propose the reintroduction of regional and long-distance passenger trains. A deadline of mid-January has been set for proposals.
Mexican president Mr Andrés Manuel López Obrador has publicly stated that reinstating passenger rail services are a priority for his government. The government has informed the concessionaires that in the event they do not want to introduce such services, the government may do so directly using new operating companies established by the Mexican armed forces.
The first stage of the flagship Mayan Train project is also due to begin operation on December 15.
For detailed data on Mexican rail projects, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
