The Tren Maya project, aimed at enhancing mobility and tourism, has surpassed its ridership expectations by transporting over 790,000 passengers since its inception. This impressive figure was reported by Óscar David Lozano Águila, the director general of Tren Maya, during his recent briefing, which highlighted the project's success and growing popularity among passengers.
Launched to connect key locations across the southeast region of Mexico, the Tren Maya has become not just a means of transportation, but also a cultural and tourist magnet. "The Tren Maya is becoming a model of mobility, tourism, and cultural connection in the south-southeast of our country. This year we exceeded our goal of 700,000 passengers, reaching 790,000 users by January 20," Lozano Águila stated, expressing optimism for the project's future.
Initially, the business plan for 2024 set out to mobilize 700,000 passengers. By the time the figures were tallied on January 20, the Tren Maya had well and truly smashed its target, indicating strong patronage and confidence from the public. With projections for 2025 targeting 1.2 million passengers, the Tren Maya seems on track to achieve its goals, based on current ridership trends.
Ticket sales have been particularly noteworthy as well. According to the statistics, with a total of 791,730 tickets sold to date, 63% were purchased at physical ticket offices, whereas 37% were obtained through digital platforms including the official website and application. Lozano Águila noted, "Four out of ten tickets are already sold online, which reflects a shift in the purchasing model, betting on digitalization." This statistic not only indicates the popularity of the Tren Maya but also points to changing consumer behaviors, especially as more travelers embrace online purchasing.
To maintain the momentum, promotional packages were rolled out for Semana Santa, providing travelers with exclusive deals for weekend getaways. These offerings, including routes such as the 'Route of Wonders' priced at 15,780 pesos and the 'Heart of the Ancient' at 18,374 pesos, are aimed at making travel more accessible and attractive, especially during peak times. These packages come with discounts ranging from 35% to 37%, thereby creating opportunities for both locals and tourists to experience the beauty of the region.
While the ridership numbers continue to rise, the project's stakeholders remain focused on managing its public image. Recently, the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) awarded contracts worth 477,000 pesos to Efinfo, a company tasked with monitoring media and public perceptions of the Tren Maya project. This move outlines the administration's proactive approach to address any potential challenges related to public opinion.
Described as providing real-time tracking and analysis of relevant topics for the project's executives, the media monitoring service commenced on January 1, 2025. Per the project's service description, "Thanks to constant and timely information deliveries, the Social Communication Directorate will have the necessary elements to assess and anticipate the media climate," ensuring informed decision-making and strategic communications.
The agreements with Efinfo highlight the importance the Tren Maya management places on maintaining its reputation amid potential criticisms or concerns. This foresight is intended to empower the team with timely insights to tackle any public relations issues effectively.
Overall, the Tren Maya project stands as one of the Mexican government’s significant investments toward enhancing regional mobility, tourism, and cultural interchange. With optimism surrounding its successful inauguration and the projected future increase in passengers, it continues to cultivate strong support from the community it serves.