On March 22nd, 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum was in the state of Hidalgo for the official launch of the Mexico City-Pachuca train route. (Pachuca is northeast of Mexico City).
This rail route is being constructed by the Department of Defense.
From Bnamericas: “President Claudia Sheinbaum kicked off construction of the Mexico City-Pachuca electric commuter train, promising that it would be operational in just a year and a half. ‘It will generate 40,000 direct jobs and at least twice that many indirect jobs. In approximately one year and seven months, we can travel from one point to another in one hour and 10 minutes. We continue to promote passenger trains,’ Sheinbaum said on social media platform X.”
“During the weekend’s construction start, Andrés Lajous Loaeza, head of rail transport regulator ARTF, said the route – on which construction was initially scheduled to begin in April – will benefit 1.2mn residents.“
“Lajous said trains from Buenavista in Mexico City to Hidalgo state capital Pachuca will travel at up to 120km/h, while 57km of double track will be built on the Felipe Ángeles international airport (AIFA)-Pachuca section. Construction of the Lechería (Buenavista)-AIFA link is nearing completion.”
“The official also reported that travel times will be cut by 25-30% compared to road transport, so it will now only take an hour and 15 minutes to travel from Mexico City to Pachuca and 38 minutes from AIFA to the same destination.” [The AIFA airport is in the state of Mexico].
President Sheinbaum plans to construct at least 3,000 kilometers of passenger rail lines, in 13 new passenger routes.
There is some criticism of this plan, but the Presidenta defends it: “At her press conference on Tuesday [March 25], Sheinbaum defended her plan to build at least 3,000km of passenger rail lines despite criticism that railways are a thing of the past because they are unprofitable and therefore require subsidies and private capital.”
Source:Government of Mexico