President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced that the construction of the Querétaro–Irapuato and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger train lines will commence in September, with bidding processes for these projects set to be awarded in August. Additionally, she informed that on Wednesday, July 10, the call for bids will be published for 15 trains designated for the Mexico–Pachuca route.
During the morning press conference «Las mañaneras del pueblo,» the president emphasized that these initiatives are part of the government’s efforts to revitalize passenger rail transport as a strategic function of the state. «We are reclaiming the Mexican state’s capacity to transport the people, both by rail and by air,» she stated.
Sheinbaum highlighted that the Secretariat of National Defense is already constructing segments of the Mexico–Querétaro, AIFA–Pachuca, and Mexico City–AIFA lines, with further updates on these projects to be provided soon. She reiterated the goal of connecting central Mexico with the northern regions through rail lines linking Mexico City to Nuevo Laredo and Nogales.
Andrés Lajous Loaeza, head of the Regulatory Agency for Railway Transport (ARTF), reported that approximately 250 kilometers of the Querétaro–Irapuato segment are currently in the bidding phase. Since May 19, the initial 30 km stretch from Apaseo el Grande to Querétaro’s industrial zone has been open for bids, with the upcoming call for the 70 km section between Apaseo el Grande and Irapuato to be released in the coming days.
Regarding the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo line, Lajous detailed that on May 20, the bidding process began for a 100 km segment between Unión San Javier and Arroyo el Sauz. Subsequently, on June 19, the process opened for another 117 km stretch from Derramadero to Santa Catarina. He also noted that the trains for the Mexico–Pachuca route will be 100 meters long, capable of carrying over 700 passengers, and will reach speeds of up to 130 km/h.
