Mexico's Costly and Underused Maya Train Project Raises Major Concerns and Criticisms

As President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term reaches its final two months, the Maya Train project, projected to incur a cost of up to $30 billion, is only 50% complete. Despite being touted as a potential game-changer for the Yucatan Peninsula, the current state of the project has raised significant concerns.

The current ridership figures for the operational stretch of the railway, with only about 1,200 daily passengers, are far below the initially anticipated numbers. This lackluster performance is a far cry from the government's promises, with the current ridership standing at a mere 3-5% of the projected figures.

Underwhelming Tourist Interest

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect is the underwhelming interest from tourists. The route from Cancun to the renowned Mayan temple complex of Palenque has attracted only about 100 passengers per day in the first six months, raising questions about the viability of the project as a tourist attraction.

The challenges are exacerbated by infrastructure issues, with the planned Cancun-Tulum railway facing technical difficulties. The alteration in the route, cutting through the jungle and moving tracks inland, has raised concerns about the project's effectiveness in serving the intended resort towns.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

While the project has created temporary jobs, it remains unclear how sustainable these employment opportunities will be once construction concludes. The governor of Tabasco highlighted the job creation impact, emphasizing the reduction in the state's unemployment rate. However, the long-term sustainability of these jobs is in question.