Mexico's Maya Train rail project has opened partially to the public, but it is facing significant delays and cost overruns. Passengers experienced hours-long delays, and only one side of the planned double rail line is finished, causing further delays. The project's cost has soared from $8.5 billion to as much as $28 billion. The Maya Train is meant to connect beach resorts and archaeological sites, but only about one-third of the 950-mile line has been partly finished. Questions have been raised about the train's operating costs and feasibility as a tourist attraction. The project has faced objections from environmentalists due to its impact on sensitive areas. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador aims to complete the project before leaving office in September.
Mexico's president inaugurated the first section of the $20 billion Maya Train project, a 950-mile tourist train that aims to connect beach resorts and archaeological sites on the Yucatan peninsula. The 290-mile stretch between Campeche and Cancun was opened, with the rest of the line expected to be completed by the end of February. The train will have two daily trips, stopping at various towns and attractions. While initially planned to have separate fares for Mexicans and foreign tourists, the first prices listed were differentiated only by class. The project has faced objections from environmentalists and archaeologists due to its impact on sensitive cave systems. Critics also question its feasibility and affordability for locals.
The first section of Mexico's controversial Maya Train, a tourism project championed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is set to open today, years ahead of initial projections. The 298-mile segment between Cancún and Campeche is opening despite protests, court orders, and concerns about environmental damage. The government defends the project as a way to boost tourism and investment in an impoverished region, but critics argue it is also aimed at facilitating freight traffic. The cost of the project has risen from $7.5 billion to $30 billion, raising questions about its justification.
Mexico's Maya Train, a £16bn tourist and cargo train project, is set to open its first section ahead of schedule after just five years of construction. The government aims to boost the economy of the south-east region and lift 1.1 million people out of poverty by 2030. However, critics argue that the project was forced through without proper environmental impact studies or consultations with local communities. Concerns have been raised about the potential damage to the Maya Forest, the risk of water contamination, and the fragility of the limestone ground. The government has responded to criticisms by altering the route and building some sections on elevated platforms, but the project has faced opposition and legal challenges. The militarization of the project and limited public disclosure of information have also raised concerns. The Maya Train is part of a larger plan to transform the south-east region, but critics argue that the economic benefits may not be distributed equitably and that the project disregards the region's history and customs.
Mexico has opened the $30 billion military-run 'Maya Train', a new railway project aimed at boosting tourism in the Cancún region. The train, which spans 1,470 kilometers, will connect popular tourist destinations such as Cancún, Tulum, and Palenque, and is expected to transport around 8,000 passengers per day. The project has faced criticism from environmentalists and indigenous communities, who argue that it could harm the region's delicate ecosystems and cultural heritage.
