Maya Train as Land Freight Transportation

#### The Maya Train: Beyond Tourism, a Driver of Commerce and Freight Transportation in Mexico  Long before the Maya Train in Mexico became operational, there was speculation about its tourist importance in the region; however, little has been said about its detonating role in commerce thanks to its freight transport function. Being a priority project of the Government of Mexico for local and foreign passenger transport, the Maya Train also has a project to operate freight transport services on the same tracks used for passenger transport. Just a few weeks from the completion and delivery of the flagship work of the current administration, there is already great interest from multiple companies that are in dialogue to transport their goods on the tracks. This second phase of the project is expected to begin once the infrastructure is completed, estimated for June, so freight transport on the Maya Train will start once the ongoing electoral process is concluded. ##### Advantages of railway transport The freight industry is vital for economic growth in Mexico, where demand for these services has increased significantly in recent years, according to a recent OECD report on freight railway transport regulation. The advantages of freight transport by train are numerous: greater cargo capacity, low operating costs, and the lowest environmental impact. Therefore, railway services are essential for transporting raw materials and industrial products, including cereals, agricultural products, metals, and minerals. Likewise, the automotive industry also depends on this means of transport for its production chains in North America. Additionally, the departure and arrival frequency is stable and the high capacity allows for transporting a greater number of products. ##### Maya Train Will Boost Intermodal Transportation The UN considers it the main infrastructure project in the world. But what does this mean for transporters in Mexico? The project could add to intermodal transport traffic and favor industrial development in the southeast, where historically there has been an imbalance between the north and center of the country. According to estimates from the National Chamber of Freight Transport (Canacar), the construction of the Maya Train has brought economic dynamism to the region not seen before. Canacar estimates that activity focused on transporting materials for construction rebounded between 30 and 40% in recent months, and the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Campeche (Canaco Servytur Campeche) estimates that its activities increased around 30%. Forecasts indicate that advantages for road freight transporters (trucks with trailers and semi-trailers known in our country as "trailers") will continue in a positive trend by benefiting from the route this train will cover. ##### What is the Maya Train in Mexico? The Maya Train Project promoted by the Government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador constitutes a new railway transportation service that connects the most important cities and tourist areas of interest in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a train that will boost tourism and freight transport in the south of the country. Conceived as a project for freight and passenger transport, the Maya Train provides the opportunity to expand commercial horizons and streamline communication with that region. According to a profitability report, prepared by PWC and Steer Davies consultancies and presented by SHCP, the growth in annual passenger demand will be 62 million national and foreign tourists by 2033 and 145.6 million local passengers. ##### Maya Train Services The main railway transport proposal of the current federal administration connects the main regions of the Yucatan Peninsula: the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan. ###### The train offers three different services: Regional. To function as a means of transport between nearby cities and allow easy movement for both local and foreign passengers. Tourist. The train has a unique design and its route will cover archaeological zones, magical towns, and beach tourist destinations of interest. Freight. Facilitates the transport of goods through southeastern Mexico, saving costs, delivery times, and environmental impact. ##### Maya Train Route The objective of this railway line is to connect Caribbean tourist destinations with lesser-known inland places, including Maya historical sites. The Maya Train railway line starts from Palenque, in Chiapas, and heads northeast towards Cancun, in Quintana Roo, through two routes that border the peninsula. It is estimated, according to a Fonatur report, that 70% of passengers will be inhabitants of the 5 states through which it crosses. ##### What is Mexico's logistical future with the Maya Train? To further improve the freight industry in Mexico, trains will have freight stations located in San Francisco de Campeche, Merida, Cancun, and Chetumal. These stations will have train reception areas and cargo loading and unloading areas. Both the business class and the transport industry, that is: both customers and freight shipping providers, are already in dialogue to use railway services. All these interested companies are expected to join the freight transfer terminals in the future. Meanwhile, the infrastructure already shows significant progress and some details have been disclosed. ###### What does the Maya Train Multimodal Freight Project consist of? Different multimodal terminals and railway operation yards for merchandise exchange are contemplated; for example, in Pomuch, Poxilac, and Valladolid. Chetumal will have another multimodal terminal, which will communicate a future toward Central America. For Tulum there will be a connection through the airport and from there down to a terminal projected to be built. And finally, the railway operation yard in Xpujil is contemplated. In the case of Cancun, it is supplied daily with perishable products and does not have the capacity to maintain a strategic reserve, so a multimodal freight terminal is also contemplated to be built. Such intermediate operation yards will guarantee continuity, an agile flow, and position the commercialization of local goods to support the economic growth of that area. ##### Freight Project Characteristics The maximum speed of freight transport will be 120 kilometers per hour, while passenger speed will be 160 kilometers per hour. The mega work will cover about 1,550 kilometers with 20 stations and 690 kilometers of electrified tracks. Freight service with a maximum load per axle of 32.5 tons. Freight transport will run at a speed 72 percent higher than current tracks and 12 percent higher than road transport. A fleet of approximately 75 Diesel-Electric traction trains will be available to circulate on the route to provide freight and passenger service.