Train freight operations of the Maya project on track for commencement by year-end 2026
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Wednesday the expansion of the Maya Train freight network, which is set to connect with the national railway network and facilitate cargo transportation from the northern borders to destinations in the south, including Chetumal and Cancún.
The project, currently about 5% complete, is being spearheaded by Mexico's military, which is developing the Progreso Multimodal Cargo Terminal as a key hub. The terminal, located in the city of Progreso, is expected to launch operations by late 2026.
The freight network will include four main transfer terminals: Palenque, Poxilá, Progreso, and Cancún. The rehabilitated line will be extended to Yucatan's main port of Progreso to facilitate cargo transportation. The construction of the freight service will take two years, from 2025 to 2026.
The Maya Train freight service is expected to start operating by the end of 2026. The military engineers are also working on rehabilitating 70 kilometers of railway in the city of Mérida, connecting local industry with the existing Maya Tren railway line.
Project progress stands at approximately 5%, with greater progress expected once the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) completes its preservation work, as per Vallejo, a project team member. The team is collaborating with the INAH to excavate archaeological relics encountered along the route.
Environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation are key aspects of the project. Plans to relocate tree and wildlife species to protected natural areas are ongoing to minimize ecological disruption. The Progreso Multimodal Cargo Terminal is being developed in collaboration with port authorities, the state government, and the Maya Train group.
The Maya Train's passenger service has been operational since July 7, covering 1,554 kilometers with 34 stations across the Yucatan Peninsula. The freight network expansion to Nogales, Sonora, on the northern border, is planned for completion by 2030, aligning with the end of President Sheinbaum’s six-year term in 2030. The expansion will enhance Mexico's freight logistics, balancing infrastructure growth with environmental and cultural conservation.
- The freight network expansion of the Maya Train is planned to reach Nogales, Sonora, on the northern border by 2030, aligning with the end of President Sheinbaum’s six-year term.
- The Progreso Multimodal Cargo Terminal, a key hub in the Maya Train freight network, is being developed in collaboration with port authorities, the state government, and the Maya Train group.
- The construction of the freight service along the Maya Train route will take two years, from 2025 to 2026.
- Environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation are key aspects of the Maya Train project, with plans to relocate tree and wildlife species to protected natural areas ongoing.
