On May 8, 2025, the Servicio de Transporte Colectivo (STC) Metro in Mexico City suspended service on Line B during peak hours, affecting thousands of commuters. The affected route runs from Buenavista to Ciudad Azteca, with service disruptions particularly impacting the Deportivo Oceanía and Bosque de Aragón stations. Passengers were evacuated from the trains, and provisional transportation services were implemented to assist those stranded.
The suspension was attributed to a fault in the tracks between the Oceanía and Deportivo Oceanía stations. According to the STC Metro's social media updates, they alerted users about the issue, stating, "Due to a review in the track area of Line B, service is provisionally offered between the Buenavista and Oceanía stations, and between Villa de Aragón and Ciudad Azteca. There is no train service at the Deportivo Oceanía and Bosque de Aragón stations. RTP units are providing support for user transfers. Please take precautions." This announcement came as commuters began to experience delays and confusion.
Adrián Rubalcava, the newly appointed director of the Metro, confirmed via social media that maintenance personnel were actively working to rectify the situation. He stated, "We are working to restore service as soon as possible," emphasizing the urgency of the repairs. The Metro's maintenance team is focusing on correcting the track geometry using hydraulic jacks, as the fault was reportedly due to a deviation of one of the guide bars.
For those affected, alternative transportation options were made available. The Red de Transporte de Pasajeros (RTP) stepped in to provide emergency bus services for users traveling between the affected stations. Additionally, the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana deployed patrol cars to assist passengers in reaching their destinations safely. However, many users reported long wait times for the RTP buses, leading some to opt for walking instead.
Reports from the ground indicated that commuters had been stranded for 20 to 30 minutes at various points on Line B before the station closures. The situation escalated to the point where STC personnel had to ask passengers to evacuate the trains and stations to ensure their safety. As the service remained suspended, users took to social media to express their frustration over the lack of timely information and the ongoing issues plaguing the Metro system.
Images circulated online depicted the curvature in the guide bar, which had caused the disruption. This visual evidence raised concerns among users about the overall safety and maintenance of the Metro infrastructure. A user tweeted, "There are daily problems in the Metro due to a lack of maintenance!" highlighting the ongoing frustrations that commuters face.
As of the latest updates, the Metro service on Line B is expected to remain suspended until Thursday, May 8, 2025, with authorities urging the public to plan their travels accordingly. The STC Metro has not provided further details regarding the specific causes of the track failure or the timeline for full service restoration.
The ongoing issues with Line B come on the heels of another incident on May 5, when service on Line 8 was suspended due to electrical system failures. This pattern of disruptions has raised alarms about the Metro's maintenance practices and the need for more comprehensive oversight to ensure commuter safety.
As commuters navigate these challenges, the STC Metro continues to face scrutiny over its operational efficiency and reliability. The public is left wondering how long these issues will persist and what measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
