Tren Maya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mayan Train
Overview
Native name	Tren Maya (Spanish) Tsiímin K'aák (Yucatec Maya)
Owner	Mexican Armed Forces
Locale	Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo; Mexico
Termini	San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche Palenque, Chiapas (after December 31) Cancún Airport, Quintana Roo
Stations	15
Service
Services	3
Rolling stock	42 X'Trapolis Tsíimin K’áak multiple units
History
Commenced	December 16, 2018
Opened	December 15, 2023 (Campeche-Cancún)
Extended (planned)	December 31, 2023 (Palenque-Cancún) End of January 2024 (Cancún-Tulum) February 2024 (Tulum-Escárcega)
Technical
Line length	1,525 km (948 mi)
Number of tracks	1
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speed	160 km/h (99 mph)

The Tren Maya (also called the Mayan Train or Maya Train) is a new railway line in Mexico. It is about 1,525 kilometers (948 miles) long. The train travels across the Yucatán Peninsula. Construction started in June 2020, and the first part of the railway opened on December 15, 2023.

The train starts in Palenque in Chiapas state. It then goes northeast towards Cancún in Quintana Roo state. The railway has two main routes that go around the peninsula. The project aims to connect popular tourist spots on the Caribbean coast with less-known places inland. This includes old Mayan cities, which is where the train gets its name.

History of the Mayan Train Project

The idea for the Tren Maya was announced in September 2018. This was done by Mexico's president-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Earlier plans had suggested a shorter railway line. Other presidents had also tried to build passenger train projects, but they couldn't get enough money.

The Tren Maya project planned to use some existing railway paths. It would also build new tracks through the jungle. Some groups did not like the project. They worried about its impact on the environment and local communities.

Public Vote in 2019

On November 15, 2019, President López Obrador announced a public vote. This vote was about the Mayan Train project. It took place on December 15, 2019. People in the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo could vote.

After the vote, 92.3% of the people who participated said "yes" to the project. About 7.4% voted "no." In total, 100,940 people voted. This was a small part of all the registered voters in the affected areas.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico looked at the vote. They said that voters were mostly told about the good things the project would bring. These included better water, health, jobs, and environmental protection. However, they were not told much about the possible negative effects.

Future Plans: Progreso Extension

In June 2022, a plan was announced to extend the train line. This extension would go to Progreso and Umán in Yucatán.

How the Mayan Train is Funded

The money for the Tren Maya project mostly comes from a special tax on tourism in the region. Some funds are also moved from other government programs.

In 2018, the project was expected to cost about 150 billion Mexican pesos (around US$7.4 billion). Experts thought it would have about 8,000 riders each day. Later, in 2019, another study estimated the cost could be much higher. By October 2021, the estimated cost was updated to 200 billion pesos.

In December 2020, President López Obrador said that the armed forces would operate some parts of the train route. He said that any money made from the train would help support pensions for military members. Later, it was clarified that the military would own the entire route and receive all the profits.

Officials have said that a single trip for local people between Cancún and Playa del Carmen might cost around 50 pesos. Tourists, however, would pay more, perhaps between 800 and 1000 pesos for the same trip. The higher price for tourists would include extra services, like restaurants on the train.

Building the Railway

Construction of the Tren Maya officially began on December 16, 2018. President López Obrador held a special Mayan ritual to mark the start. The railway is designed for tourists, but it will also carry local passengers and freight (goods).

The train route is divided into seven sections:

• Section I: From Palenque to Escárcega (228 km)
• Section II: From Escárcega to Calkiní (235 km)
• Section III: From Calkiní to Izamal (172 km)
• Section IV: From Izamal to Cancún (257 km)
• Section V: From Cancún to Tulum (121 km)
• Section VI: From Tulum to Bacalar (254 km)
• Section VII: From Bacalar to Escárcega (287 km)

In Mérida, Yucatán, business leaders supported building a small part of the railway underground. This would help protect the city's historic center. The train will not stop directly in Mérida at first. Instead, it will stop a few miles away. By 2025, the station is planned to move to La Plancha Park in Mérida.

Construction officially started in June 2020. Different companies are building each section of the railway. For example, Mota-Engil México and China Communications Construction Company are building the first section.

In February 2021, a contract was given to Acciona and Grupo México. They are building a 60.3 km (37.5 mi) section of electrified double tracks. This part is in section five, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. About 75% of this section is built on elevated structures (viaducts). This helps protect the underground water.

The trains are designed to run at speeds up to 160 km/h (99 mph). In May 2021, a company called Alstom was chosen to provide the trains and related equipment. The trains are being built at Alstom's factory in Ciudad Sahagún, Mexico.

President López Obrador has said the project will be finished before his term ends in 2024. Some experts worried that this timeline was too fast. They feared that rushing the work could lead to problems. To speed things up, the route was changed in January 2022 so it would no longer go through Playa del Carmen. By October 2023, the train was scheduled to start running on December 15, 2023, which it did.

Passenger Services

There will be 42 train cars for the Tren Maya. These cars are being built in Ciudad Sahagún, Mexico. Most of these trains will be electro-diesel, meaning they can use both electricity and diesel fuel.

Xiinbal Trains: Regular Travel

The Xiinbal train is for regular passengers. Its name means "to walk" in Mayan. These trains will have business class seats, standard seats, and a cafeteria car. This service is for both local people who travel often and for tourists.

Janal Trains: Dining on the Go

The Janal trains offer a special dining experience. "Janal" means "to eat" in Mayan. These trains will have a restaurant on board. The design inside will be inspired by famous Mexican architecture. The restaurant cars will have different seating options for a nice dining experience.

P'atal Trains: Long Journeys

The P'atal trains are designed for longer trips. "P'atal" means "to stay" in Mayan. These trains will have seats that recline and sleeping cabins. This makes them comfortable for passengers traveling long distances.

Train Models and Fleet

The trains for the Tren Maya were designed by the French company Alstom. A total of 219 cars are being built in Mexico.

Concerns and Opposition

Some environmental groups and groups that protect the rights of indigenous people have expressed concerns about building new tracks through the jungle.

On January 1, 2020, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation said they were against the project. They felt that the public vote only showed the good sides of the train.

Groups connected to the National Indigenous Congress (CNI) have tried to stop the train project through legal actions. They are also raising awareness through social media and news campaigns. In January 2020, a judge in Campeche temporarily stopped construction. This was because the project's approval was questioned. However, President López Obrador defended the train. He said that the state of Campeche strongly supported it. He also noted that a large part of the route would go through Campeche.

In November 2020, a group called the Regional Indigenous Council of Xpujil asked for the project to be stopped. They gathered many signatures due to worries about the environment. In January 2021, residents in other areas also got a temporary stop to construction. This was until environmental studies were properly reported.

Many legal challenges have been filed by indigenous groups. They believe the project could harm the environment. Despite these challenges, construction has continued.

A group of famous people, including actors and singers, also spoke out against the train. Their campaign, called "Sélvame del Tren" (meaning "Save me from the Train"), highlighted environmental worries. In July 2022, some residents in Chemax blocked roads to protest. They said the government had not kept its promises.

Environmental Concerns

During construction, workers and archeologists have found more than 8,000 ancient artifacts and structures. This shows the rich history of the area.

Experts have also identified twelve wildlife corridors. These could be built to help protect jaguars and other animals living in the area.

An environmental group, Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental, has accused the project of causing deforestation. They say this happened without proper environmental studies or permits. In November 2021, the government allowed the Tren Maya and other projects to skip some environmental reviews.

Original plans for the train included electric locomotives. Later, the government decided to use diesel trains for some parts to save money. However, in August 2020, they announced that half the route, from Mérida to Chetumal via Cancún, would be electrified.

In March 2022, Greenpeace activists protested by tying themselves to construction machinery. They were against cutting down the jungle without full environmental studies. A cave diver named Jose Urbina Bravo is also studying the train's impact on wildlife and underground caves. He is involved in legal efforts to stop the construction.

See also

In Spanish: Tren Maya para niños

• Rail transport in Mexico