MEXICO: Railway regulatory agency ARTF has called tenders for the supply of 15 electric multiple-units to operate on the 23 km extension of the Tren Suburbano line from the Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Pachuca, where construction began in March.
The winning bidder will be expected to design, build and commission the vehicles, as well as providing maintenance services. It will also have to supply ERTMS onboard units and depot equipment.
The fully accessible trainsets are to be capable of a maximum speed of 130 km/h. Each trainset will be approximately 100 m long, with capacity for more than 700 passengers including at least 315 seated.
A minimum of 50% domestic content is required.
Six firms have expressed interest, including Alstom, CAF, CRRC ZELC, and Mitsubishi Electric de México, as well as domestic civil engineering company PEA Capital and local medical company TAQ Sistemas Médicos. The contract is due to be awarded by September.
The first section of the Tren Suburbano route between Mexico City and the airport is scheduled to open in December, with the extension to Pachuca expected to follow in early 2027.
Designed for 120 km/h operation and electrified at 25 kV 60 Hz, the double-track line is being built on a new alignment next to an existing freight railway.
Long-distance corridors make progress
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on July 24 that the 680 km Mexico City – Puebla – Veracruz inter-city passenger corridor, for which feasibility studies are currently ongoing, will make use of existing freight railway alignments, at least in part.
Construction of the 108 km Querétaro – Irapuato, and 396 km Saltillo – Monterrey – Nuevo Laredo routes is expected to be launched in August, following the start of work on the Mexico City – Querétaro section in April.
The President’s office announced on July 30 that tenders would be called later this year for 47 electric and electro-diesel hybrid trainsets to operate on the Mexico City – Querétaro – Irapuato / Nuevo Laredo routes. These would be capable of operation at speeds of up to 200 km/h, with different versions offering capacity for 300 or 600 passengers.
The projects form part of Sheinbaum’s passenger rail revival programme, which she announced in September 2024 before entering office. She is aiming to deliver passenger operations on 3 000 route-km over the first five years of her term.
