Alstom has announced the delivery of the first cars to the Tren Maya railway project in Mexico. The four cars, which departed Alstom's manufacturing facility in Ciudad Sahagún, Hidalgo, on July 3rd, will form the first of the 31 Xiinbal type of trains that Alstom will deliver. Over the course of the project, 41 X’trapolis train models will enter service.
The Xiinbal trains are designed to reflect the varied colours and textures of the region's art, with large panoramic windows to allow passengers to enjoy scenic views. They are also equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic and reclining seats, video surveillance systems and passenger information screens. Since the floor is flat throughout, passengers with reduced mobility will have full freedom of movement.
The Tren Maya is a 946-mile (1,524 km) railway project that will connect Palenque, Chiapas, to Cancún, Quintana Roo. It was recently announced in a press conference with President Lopez Obrador that operations on the line will start in December 2023.
"We are proud to deliver the first cars to the Tren Maya project," said Maite Ramos, general director of Alstom Mexico. He added: "This is a major milestone for the project and for Alstom, and we are committed to providing the highest quality trains to Mexico."
The delivery of the first cars to the Tren Maya is also a significant step forward for the Mexican government's plans to develop sustainable transportation infrastructure. Once completed, it is hoped that the Tren Maya will be a major tourist attraction, whilst also reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in the region.
Rogelio Jimenez Pons, director general of the Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (FONATUR) said: "The delivery of the first cars to the Tren Maya is a historic moment for Mexico. This project will help to promote tourism, economic development and environmental sustainability in the region."
The delivery of the first cars to the Tren Maya is a significant milestone for the project, which has been three years in the making.
They will feature automatic train control system (ERTMS) which will improve safety whilst also deploying HealthHub and TrainScanner which is designed to help with predictive maintenance needs and continuous monitoring of different components which it is hoped will improve the lifecycle of the trains.
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, the Tren Maya is also expected to have a number of social benefits. The project will help to connect remote communities in the region, providing nearly 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in the local and national railway sectors.
Photo: Alstom
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