El Tren Interoceánico, uno más de los fracasos

The Interoceanic Train is operating with 97% federal subsidies according to a report by Rubén Aguilar for Desde la Fe. The project, which began operations in late 2023 under the administration of former President López Obrador, has only recovered 3% of its operating costs through service sales.

The rehabilitation of the tracks connecting the ports of Coatzacoalcos and Salina Cruz cost 62 billion pesos, which was three times the original estimate of 20 billion pesos. While López Obrador claimed the train would reduce cargo traffic in the Panama Canal and prove highly profitable, Aguilar states these claims lacked market study support.

The Secretaría de Marina operates the train through the company Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec. Between late 2023 and July 2026, only 13 companies used the freight service to move 1.1 million tons of cargo. For comparison, the company Ferromex transports 60 million tons in a single year.