Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum inspected the Mexico-Pachuca Train project on May 30, 2025, highlighting its 57 km double electrified track, 120 km/h speed, and integration with AIFA and Pachuca transport networks. Mexico-Pachuca Train will cut travel times and serve over 1.2 million people.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum conducted a hands-on inspection of the Mexico-Pachuca Train project, a strategic rail link that will connect Mexico City with Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) and the city of Pachuca. The tour, organized in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), underscored the federal government’s commitment to modernizing transportation infrastructure and improving regional mobility.
Project Leadership and Oversight
The construction of the Mexico-Pachuca Train falls under the Felipe Ángeles Engineering Group of Sedena. Since Sedena established this specialized engineering division in 2024, the military-run team has led key infrastructure initiatives, including airport runways and military housing projects. For the rail link, Sedena’s engineers and contractors have already completed significant groundwork, including laying foundations and erecting electrical substations. After construction wraps up, daily operations will transfer to the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica Airport, Railway, and Auxiliary and Related Services Group SA de CV (GAFSACOMM), a consortium formed in early 2025 to manage airport-linked rail services.
During her visit, President Sheinbaum walked alongside Sedena engineers as they inspected bridge spans, tunnel shafts, and the electrification system. In a brief address to on-site personnel, the President emphasized that “upgrading our rail network is essential to cut travel times and strengthen economic ties between Mexico City, AIFA, and Pachuca.” She highlighted Sedena’s track record of delivering large-scale projects and praised the teamwork between military engineers and civilian contractors.
Ridership Projections and Travel Times
Once operational, the Mexico-Pachuca Train is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million people annually. According to project planners, demand on the Buenavista-Pachuca section alone is estimated at 83,112 daily users. Under current projections, passengers traveling from Mexico City to Pachuca will complete the journey in about one hour and ten minutes—nearly a 30 percent reduction compared with existing bus services. For those boarding at Felipe Ángeles International Airport, the train ride to Pachuca will take just 38 minutes, saving roughly 25 to 30 percent of travel time compared with ground transport options.
At a maximum operating speed of 120 kilometers per hour, the train will run on 57 kilometers of double electrified track between AIFA and Pachuca. Operators have already installed overhead catenary lines and are now testing power substations at key intervals. Once the signaling system is activated later this summer, test runs will validate safety measures before the official inauguration.
Integration with Mexico’s Public Transport Network
The Mexico-Pachuca Train will not operate in isolation. It will link seamlessly with several urban transit systems to streamline last-mile connections. At its southern terminus near Mexico City, the line will connect with the Buenavista-Cuautitlán Suburban Train. Buenavista station is a major hub that provides transfers to the Mexico City Metro Lines 1 and B, as well as Metrobús Lines 4 and 5. Commuters can also access the Ecobici bicycle-sharing network at Buenavista.
On the Pachuca end, passengers can transfer to the Tuzobús—Pachuca’s dedicated bus rapid transit network. The Tuzobús service offers routes throughout Hidalgo state, enabling commuters to reach residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and the historic city center without needing private vehicles. By fostering these inter-modal connections, the government aims to decongest highways, reduce carbon emissions, and cut commuting costs for lower-income workers.
Economic and Social Impact
Project analysts estimate that building the train will create more than 4,000 direct jobs across engineering, construction, and support services. Local businesses along the alignment—especially suppliers of steel, concrete, and electrical components—have already seen increased demand. Moreover, the availability of affordable, reliable rail transit is expected to attract private investment in housing, retail, and logistics facilities near station areas.
In AIFA’s surrounding municipalities, neighborhood councils welcomed the project, noting that faster access to central Mexico City will boost tourism and simplify international travel. Residents of Zumpango and Teoloyucan, which lie along the AIFA-Pachuca route, project that property values will rise by up to 15 percent once the train opens. In Pachuca, local authorities are preparing infrastructure improvements—such as upgrading feeder bus loops and expanding parking facilities at Tuzobús stations—to accommodate the anticipated influx of rail passengers.
Environmental Considerations
The Mexico-Pachuca Train’s electrified design will reduce reliance on diesel-fueled buses and private vehicles. Federal climate analysts project that, at full capacity, the rail line could eliminate roughly 25,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually compared with current road traffic volumes. Sedena engineers selected electric traction equipment that meets international efficiency standards, while station designs incorporate photovoltaic panels to offset up to 10 percent of station electricity consumption.
To protect nearby ecosystems during construction, Sedena conducted environmental impact assessments in 2024. These studies recommended reforestation of affected areas and the installation of wildlife corridors beneath elevated track sections. Sedena’s environmental unit has already planted more than 1,200 native trees along the alignment and continues monitoring air and water quality near construction sites.
Timeline and Next Steps
According to Sedena project managers, civil works for the Mexico-Pachuca Train will conclude in late 2025, with systems testing and trial operations running through the first quarter of 2026. GAFSACOMM officials have scheduled the inaugural passenger service for May 2026, coinciding with the airport’s third anniversary. Detailed fare structures, service frequency, and final station names are slated for announcement by the end of this year.
As President Sheinbaum concluded her inspection, she reiterated the federal administration’s focus on leveraging military engineering capabilities to expedite national infrastructure projects. “This train is more than a transportation corridor,” she said. “It represents progress for millions of Mexicans who will travel faster, safer, and more affordably between our capital, our airport, and Pachuca.”
With its blend of speed, sustainability, and connectivity, the Mexico-Pachuca Train project is poised to transform commuting patterns across the Valley of Mexico. Once complete, it will stand as a flagship example of how public-sector collaboration—between Sedena, GAFSACOMM, and local transit agencies—can modernize mobility and spark economic development.
