Expensive Journey: Daily Loss of 7.1 Million Pesos on Mexico's Southeast Maya Train Ride

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The Maya Train, an ambitious infrastructure project in Mexico, has faced significant challenges since its inception. The train, designed to connect five southeastern states and boost local economies, has encountered not only literal derailments but also fiscal struggles.

In March 2024 and August 2025, the Maya Train experienced derailments at Tixkokob station and near Izamal, respectively. Both incidents were attributed to switch failures, raising questions about the quality of its construction and testing.

The financial implications of these derailments have been substantial. Operational costs have ballooned, with the train losing an estimated 7.1 million pesos every 24 hours. In the first half of 2025 alone, 5.8 billion pesos were lost.

Despite these setbacks, the Maya Train has managed to transport just over 1.3 million passengers across 7,290 trips during the same period. However, the train, intended to carry 8,200 passengers daily, averages only 2,474 riders per day. In 2024, the train generated only 275 million pesos in revenue.

The derailments have brought into question the Maya Train's ability to deliver on its promise to boost local economies. The train's struggles have cast doubt on its capacity to connect the five southeastern states and stimulate their economies as initially intended.

Fortunately, no injuries occurred in the derailments, but they have raised concerns about rushed construction and insufficient operational testing. The group responsible for managing the Maya Train project remains unnamed in the provided search results.

The future of the Maya Train is uncertain. Whether it can recover and deliver on its ambitious vision is a question that remains to be answered. The project absorbs approximately 361,000 pesos per passenger, indicating the need for increased efficiency and cost management to ensure its long-term viability.

As the Maya Train continues to navigate these challenges, it remains a topic of interest and concern for many in Mexico and beyond. The project's success or failure will have far-reaching implications for the country's economy and infrastructure development.

Expensive Journey: Daily Loss of 7.1 Million Pesos on Mexico's Southeast Maya Train Ride