Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo firmly defended the operational integrity of the Maya Train during her morning press conference on Thursday, asserting that recent operational incidents were caused by human error rather than inadequate maintenance, low-quality ballast, or faulty infrastructure.
Addressing media inquiries regarding safety standards and contractor performance on the flagship transit project, Sheinbaum rejected claims that maintenance protocols were being neglected. She emphasized that the network undergoes ongoing routine inspections and continuous monitoring overseen by the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (Agencia de Transporte Ferroviario).
“Saying there is no maintenance or that there are failures in maintenance is absolutely false. The Maya Train receives proper maintenance just like any train in the world,” Sheinbaum stated.
The president’s comments follow a recent derailment near the San Francisco de Campeche station, where the rear car of a train traveling from Cancún to Palenque detached from the track. The incident forced the evacuation of 123 passengers, though no injuries were reported. A technical commission was subsequently established to investigate the cause.
Sheinbaum clarified that the core issue stems from manual track-switching operations rather than structural flaws in the train cars, ballast, or track beds. She noted that efforts are underway to transition these manual switching systems to automated mechanisms to minimize human involvement and prevent recurring mishaps. While acknowledging minor equipment issues in two specific train units—which are currently being resolved with the manufacturing firm—she stressed that corrective measures are being implemented across the system.
To reassure the public and address transparency concerns, Sheinbaum instructed Manuel Jaime Ramírez, director of the Maya Train enterprise, to issue a comprehensive public report detailing all ongoing maintenance procedures and safety protocols.
Source: El Universal
