Mexico-Querétaro Railway Line

Mexico-Querétaro Railway Line

Rail transport began in the early 19th century when the steam locomotive revolutionized the mobility of people and goods. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, trains drove industrial development and territorial expansion, especially in countries like the United States, where the transcontinental railroad (1869) connected the East and West Coasts, promoted trade, and boosted population growth.
In Europe, trains played a central role in connecting cities and regions, while in Asia, Japan took a pioneering role with the introduction of the Shinkansen, or “bullet train,” in 1964. The Shinkansen was the world’s first high-speed train. Over the years, many countries, including France with its TGV, Germany with its ICE, and China with its extensive high-speed networks, have further developed their rail infrastructure for passenger transport, combining technological innovations with the demand for sustainable transport.
Mexico also has a significant railway history dating back to the era of Porfirio Díaz, when the first railway lines connected different regions of the country and facilitated the transport of goods and people. Although passenger rail traffic in Mexico has declined sharply since the late 20th century due to privatization and lack of investment, projects like the Maya Train, the Mexico-Toluca Interurban Train, and the recently announced Mexico-Querétaro line present a key opportunity to revive this transport sector.

Mexico-Querétaro Railway Line
This train is designed to connect the two most important cities in the country quickly and efficiently. It will not only reduce travel times but also democratize transportation by making it accessible to everyone.
In more advanced countries, passenger trains are a cornerstone of public transportation. They are fast and environmentally friendly. Rail transport is more energy-efficient than road transport and generates fewer greenhouse gases per ton of freight transported. This is especially relevant in today’s context of transitioning to a more sustainable economy and reducing the carbon footprint.
This is the third time the federal government has announced this project. The first announcement was in 2012 under Enrique Peña Nieto, then again in 2021 under Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and now, in 2024, under the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum, which has renewed the approach to the project.