Cancun, Q.R. — The city of Cancun has started new mobility testing routes that include to the new Nichupté lagoon bridge. Testing was started Sunday on route 27 that connects to the Nichupté Bridge and Arco Norte.
Governor Mara Lezama presented the new public transport units, which will operate as part of a pilot project to connect different points of Cancun with the Hotel Zone, including the new Nichupté Bridge.
During the 6:00 a.m. Sunday launch at the Nichupté Bridge, Rafael Hernández, the Director of Imoveqroo, reported that the new buses are part of the Quintana Roo Welfare Mobility System (MOBI) focused on improving the transportation experience of thousands of users.
Each bus has a passenger capacity of 80 people with technology focused on universal accessibility, including low floor wheelchair ramps, priority spaces, tactile paving and Braille signage for people with visual disabilities.
The new buses also include handrails for senior citizens, a drop-off button, air conditioning, security cameras, real-time GPS, USB connectors and a bicycle rack.
Director Rafael Hernández explained that new Route 27 will have two options during this trial period. The “Kilometer 0” route and the “Nichupté Bridge” route, both of which run passengers into the Cancun Hotel Zone.
One route will use the traditional Kilometer Zero, while the other will travel the new vehicular bridge.
The first phase officially begins today with trials that will be conducted over four weeks, The first two weeks will be without passengers, and the following two will have passengers.
A total of 32 buses will operate during this trial period, providing service to more than 170 neighborhoods and benefiting approximately 160,000 residents who live within 500 meters of this new route.
The “Kilometer 0” route will cover a distance of 67 kilometers (round trip), with an estimated frequency of 11 minutes, serving 173 neighborhoods and 159,449 residents. It will also connect more than 60,000 homes, 5,276 businesses, and 104 schools.
The “Puente Nichupté” route will cover 65 kilometers, with a frequency of 12 minutes and coverage in 155 neighborhoods, benefiting 156,944 inhabitants, in addition to linking 58,000 homes, 3,838 economic units and 98 schools.
Authorities highlighted that one of the main benefits will be a reduction of between 20 and 50 minutes in travel times for those who travel daily to the Hotel Zone.
The pilot phase will last four weeks: the first two will consist of operational tests without users, and the following two will be open to the public. Afterward, the system will implement electronic payments.
Authorities added that the new Euro VI units comply with environmental standards with a 90 percent reduction in emissions and up to 80 percent in nitrogen oxides, contributing to a cleaner and more efficient public transport system for Cancun.
