Presidential supervision: When the boss comes to see how things are going
It seems like it was yesterday, but this Friday President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo decided to put on her helmet and do her best forensic imitation at the scene of a play: she went to supervise the progress of the famous Mexico-Pachuca Passenger Train. The scene of the crime, I mean, of the construction, was the Santa Inés section, in the municipality of Nextlalpan, State of Mexico. And the most exciting thing about the visit, apart from the photos for the official Instagram, was the announcement that the project is 9.3% physically advanced. Yes, you read that right, almost 10%. It’s not a ‘ya mere’, but it doesn’t matter a stone.
With all the solemnity of an announcement that deserves a story on all networks, the president declared: “We can announce that we have 9.3 percent progress in the AIFA–Pachuca section.” And, so that no one would think that they were scratching their heads, he added that they “work independently of emergency care in other areas.” Basically, ‘we’re still here, despite everything’. A mood.
For the expedition she was not alone, because what would a construction tour be without the right squad? She was accompanied by Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez and a delegation from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT). Together, like a group of influencers verifying a restaurant, they checked the progress of the work in the northern area of the Valley of Mexico. Spoiler: there are machinery and people working.
How does this train benefit us? Or, why should I care?
Let’s get to the point. The Mexico–Pachuca Train is not just another project to fill folders. The promise is to connect the Metropolitan Area of Pachuca with the Valley of Mexico, which sounds like it will change the lives of more than 15 thousand families who currently do the daily feat of studying or working between the capital of Hidalgo, the State of Mexico and Mexico City. It is estimated that this transportation system will serve more than 107 thousand passengers daily. Imagine all those people freed from the hell of traffic.
And here comes the good thing: the train promises a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour and, most importantly, it will work with non-polluting electric traction. That is, not only will you arrive faster, but with less ecological guilt. Your trip from Pachuca to the Buenavista station will take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. From Jagüey de Téllez it will be about 1 hour, and from Tizayuca about 50 minutes. Basically, the time of watching a movie on streaming, but arriving at your destination.
Sheinbaum, as a final thank you, highlighted the support of the SICT and reaffirmed that the Government of Mexico will continue to contribute to this type of infrastructure projects that, in theory, strengthen mobility and the long-awaited metropolitan integration. “This progress is very significant. We will continue working daily until this work is completed,” he said. In other words, ‘we are not going to stop’.
The context: What happened before the tour
So that you don’t think that this came out of nowhere, the previous Wednesday the secretary of the Sedetu, Edna Vega, had already released a juicy piece of information: the liberation of right of way for passenger trains is already 66% complete. Basically, they’re clearing the way so the train can pass without taking down taco stands or something like that. And, as etiquette dictates, he thanked the population for their collaboration in this mission. Something is something.
This mobility project is one of the strong bets in terms of interurban transportation and development of communication infrastructure in the center of the country. The rail connectivity that is sought to be implemented will not only improve the transportation of thousands of people, but could also have a positive impact on the economic activity of the region, promoting greater integration between states and enhancing accessibility. The construction of this railway line represents a significant step towards a more modern, efficient and environmentally friendly mass transportation system, setting a precedent for future initiatives of similar magnitude that prioritize sustainability and efficiency in public service.
Can you imagine traveling that fast and without polluting? Share this news on your social networks and let more people know about this project. And don’t miss our coverage of other infrastructure developments transforming the country.
