The Metro of Mexico City faced significant delays and crowding on Friday, April 18, 2025, affecting thousands of daily commuters. Users primarily reported issues on Lines 12 and A, leading to frustration among passengers during the busy holiday season.
On the morning of April 18, a user on X, known as @Viral_Metro2, shared alarming footage of smoke on Line A, which showed passengers waiting on the platform for a train that was not moving. In response, the Metro of Mexico City assured the public that Line A was operating continuously and that a train inspection conducted the previous night had found no issues, dismissing rumors of a fire. “At the moment, the circulation of trains is continuous on Line A. There was no fire, nor risk to users. Please avoid spreading misinformation,” the Metro stated.
Despite these assurances, the chaos continued. Reports indicated that commuters on Line 12 experienced power failures, particularly at the Nopalera station, which was left in complete darkness. The Metro acknowledged the problem, stating, “Personnel are working to restore lighting on Line 12. This does not affect train circulation. Please avoid sharing false information.” Users expressed their frustrations on social media, with one complaining about waiting nearly 20 minutes to board a train.
Lines 9, 12, and B also reported delays, with users on Line 12 waiting over 15 minutes for a train. One frustrated user tweeted, “What’s going on with Line 12??? We’ve been stuck at Olivos for almost 20 minutes!” The Metro responded, “Good morning. Currently, Line 12 is not experiencing any faults. Train circulation is being expedited. Please allow the doors to close freely and let passengers disembark before boarding.”
As the holiday schedule was in effect due to Semana Santa, the Metro operated from 7:00 AM to midnight on both April 17 and 18. This holiday period typically sees increased ridership as many people travel for religious observances or vacations.
In addition to the delays and crowding, the day was marred by a small fire reported in the afternoon outside the tracks of Line B. The fire occurred at the intersection of Avenida 608 and Avenida 557 in the San Juan de Aragón 4th section, within the Gustavo A. Madero district. The Fire Department of Mexico City responded quickly to the scene and extinguished the fire, which was caused by burning garbage. Fortunately, the Metro confirmed that service on Line B was not impacted by this incident, stating, “The Fire Department extinguished a small fire outside the facilities of Line B caused by burning garbage. Service was not affected.”
As the day progressed, the Metro continued to serve over four million users, but many passengers reported slow service, particularly on Line 9, which runs from Pantitlán to Tacubaya. A user expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, saying, “There’s total chaos on Line 9. Why aren’t you sending the units on time and as they should?”
In light of the ongoing issues, Clara Brugada, the head of government in Mexico City, addressed the need for urgent modernization of Line 3, which has faced constant failures. Although she did not provide a specific timeline for the necessary work, she indicated that the closure of Line 3 from Indios Verdes to Universidad would occur after the completion of ongoing projects on Line 1, expected to finish in mid-2025.
Despite the challenges faced by commuters, the Metro's special holiday schedule allowed for bicycles to be transported on the system, a program known as “Tu Bici Viaja en Metro.” This initiative aims to accommodate cyclists during the busy holiday season, allowing them to access the network with their bicycles.
As commuters navigate the complexities of public transportation during this festive period, the Metro of Mexico City remains a vital lifeline for millions. With ongoing improvements and communication from the Metro officials, users hope for a more reliable service in the near future.
In summary, the chaotic scene on April 18 highlights the challenges faced by Mexico City’s Metro system during peak travel times. With delays, power failures, and safety incidents, passengers are left to navigate a bustling network while seeking timely and efficient transportation.
