Arr, me hearties! AMLO be launchin' the first piece o' coastal Mexican rail line for ye landlubbers! Avast, enjoy ye journey!
2023-12-15
Arr, the Mexican Cap'n, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, hath just launched the maiden voyage of a jolly tourist choo-choo! 'Tis a grand train, me hearties, set to sail 'round the wondrous Yucatán!
Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has inaugurated the first part of his administration's ambitious project, the Maya Train. This tourist train, which is expected to cost $20 billion and cover a distance of 950 miles, aims to connect beach resorts and archaeological sites around the Yucatán peninsula. However, only a 290-mile stretch between Campeche and Cancun has been completed so far. The rest of the line is scheduled to be ready by the end of February.The train will take approximately 5 1/2 hours to travel from Campeche to Cancun at an average speed of 50 mph, with the capability of reaching speeds of up to 75 mph. It will have two trains per day in each direction, stopping at various towns along the way, including Merida and the famous Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza.
Initially, officials had planned to charge separate fares for Mexicans and foreign tourists, but the first prices listed were differentiated only by first-class and "tourist class" tickets. The first-class ticket from Cancun to Merida costs $68, compared to a first-class bus ticket on the same route, which costs about $58.
While the project has received praise from some officials, including the governor of Campeche state, Layda Sansores, who claimed that "the entire peninsula is breaking out in cries of 'Hallelujah!'" it has also faced objections from environmentalists. The remaining two-thirds of the Maya Train will traverse sensitive cave systems and has raised concerns about the impact on the region's biodiversity and archaeological sites.
Despite the controversies, López Obrador is determined to complete the project before he leaves office in September. He has expedited the process by exempting the train from normal permitting and environmental impact statements, citing national security as the reason.
This project showcases López Obrador's fascination with trains, the armed forces, and state-owned companies. He has entrusted the Mexican army with its construction and operation, and he has also mandated private rail companies to provide passenger service or allow the government to schedule its own trains on their tracks.
The completion of the Maya Train will not only boost tourism in the region but also leave a lasting legacy of López Obrador's tenure as president.