The Mexico City Metro is set to suspend service on its Line 1 for modernization, affecting millions of passengers as authorities prioritize improvements to the aging system.
This suspension will impact key stations, including Cuauhtémoc, Insurgentes, Sevilla, Chapultepec, Juanacatlán, Tacubaya, and Observatorio. The closure is intended to complete necessary renovations of both trains and tracks to provide more efficient service to the city’s commuters.
Jefa de Gobierno Clara Brugada has assured the public, "En lo que respecta a la Línea 1 del Metro, garantizaremos que las estaciones pendientes queden concluidas. Hemos implementado, y seguiremos implementando, mecanismos para asegurar avances semanales y terminar lo más pronto posible." This confidence underlines the government's commitment to finishing the work by mid-2025.
To mitigate the inconvenience caused by this closure, the Secretaría de Movilidad de la Ciudad de México (Semovi) has announced various alternative transportation options for affected users. This includes the provision of free bus services on routes adjusted by the Red de Transporte de Pasajeros (RTP), allowing commuters to access key areas without incurring charges.
The RTP service will allow passengers to travel without cost to designated points along the line, provided they present their Movilidad Integrada (MI) card. Although the standard bus fare is five pesos, free transfers with the Metro on regulated conditions continue to apply, enabling smooth transitions for commuters who need to connect between different services.
Stations like Tacubaya will allow access to Metro Lines 2, 7, and 9, ensuring those needing to travel can still do so efficiently. Similarly, passengers from Chapultepec will have access to Lines 2 and 6 of the Trolebús and Line 7 of the Metrobús, among other transit options.
Well before the anticipated mid-2025 reopening, users can expect the disruptions to be counterbalanced by these facilitative measures. The commitment from government officials reflects a growing focus on ensuring accessibility and efficiency within the public transportation framework.
This major undertaking will not only improve the infrastructure but also aim to rejuvenate public trust and reliance on the Metro system, which is the backbone of daily commuting for so many residents of Mexico City. The changes are long overdue and represent what many hope will be the beginning of substantial improvements across all lines of this expansive Metro network.