Mexicos AMLO to require private rail companies to offer passenger service

Mexicos president has announced that he will require private rail companies to offer passenger service or else have the government schedule its own trains on their tracks.

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Wednesday that he will require private rail companies that mostly carry freight to offer passenger service or else have the government schedule its own trains on their tracks. The president denied any notion that his decree to be issued later this month amounted to expropriation of private property, saying that existing law guarantees passenger trains priority.

No Expropriation, Just Constitutional Mandate

Lopez Obrador emphasized that the measure is not an expropriation, but rather a fulfillment of the constitutional and legal mandate that prioritizes passenger trains. However, following a 1995 reform that granted concessions to two private railway companies, Ferromex and a subsidiary of Kansas City Southern, regular passenger service in Mexico has nearly disappeared, with only a few tourist trains operating on short, unconnected routes.

No Immediate Response from Railway Companies

The railway companies have not yet responded to requests for comment on the president's plan, which would offer them the first chance to implement passenger trains. If they refuse, the government would schedule its own trains on tracks currently used almost exclusively by freight trains. The president did not mention whether the companies would receive any government subsidy for passenger service, which is often necessary due to the limited profitability of such operations.

Challenges Ahead

Several challenges lie ahead in implementing the president's plan. Electrifying the railway network for passenger service would be a significant undertaking, as most freight trains currently use diesel or diesel-electric locomotives. Moreover, integrating passenger and freight trains on the same tracks could lead to conflicts in scheduling, train speeds, stations, and rolling stock. In addition, many inner-city train tracks and stations have been dismantled or repurposed, making it difficult to accommodate increased passenger rail traffic.

Safety Concerns

Another challenge is the safety risk posed by thousands of migrants who hop freight trains to ride to the US border. In September, Ferromex temporarily halted service on some lines in northern Mexico due to several injuries and deaths among migrants attempting to ride freight cars. Addressing this safety issue will be crucial in ensuring the viability and security of passenger rail services.

President Lopez Obrador's plan to require private rail companies to offer passenger service or face government intervention is a significant development in Mexico's transportation landscape. While the president insists that this is not an expropriation but rather a fulfillment of legal obligations, the practical challenges and financial implications of implementing this plan remain to be seen. Balancing the needs of freight and passenger rail services, addressing safety concerns, and modernizing the railway infrastructure will be key to the success of this initiative.