Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The head of Fonatur says the plan for the Maya Train will be changed in two sections along the Cancun to Tulum route. Rogelio Jiménez Pons says the changes being made have been agreed upon by the hotel sector who requested the change.
Rogelio Jiménez Pons, general director of the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (Fonatur) confirmed that there will be changes in the route of the Maya Train. In an recent interview, he pointed out that although the federal government has enough road right-of-way to build the train, the private sector helped to obtain an additional right-of-way for a new line in Playa del Carmen.
That was achieved with “thanks to the support of the private sector,” he said adding that “many people are aware of the benefit that the Maya Train will bring, of what it is going to mean. The private sector is also very aware that there will be many inconveniences in the short term, but that we are working together so that these inconveniences are as few as possible so that the project is carried out on time,” he said.
One of the two route changes will be in the Cancun to Playa del Carmen section five south he said, while talks regarding the adjustment on the second section, section five north from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, continues.
He that the second section from Playa del Carmen to Tulum has been especially challenging due to overhead power lines and underground pipelines among other situations, adding it is proving difficult to define a line with the least affect.
Jiménez Pons also clarified that the request made by the president earlier in the week was simply to confirm this alliance with the private sector to achieve the best conditions for the route. He also said that the opening date of the train will not be postponed, even with the changes.
“In December 2023, the Maya train has to start operating commercially. It is essential to finish on time,” he said.