The Mexican government will tender a 5G network to operate trains on the Mexico-Querétaro, Irapuato, and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo routes. This initiative is part of a broader context of growth in the railway sector, which has registered total revenues of 89,327.6 million pesos in 2024.
The new tender aims to incorporate advanced technology that optimizes the operation and efficiency of rail transportation. This investment seeks to improve existing infrastructure and facilitate the control, signaling, and connectivity of the new trains.
Rail transport in Mexico, which is highly concentrated, has seen consistently rising revenues, with a real growth rate of 4.05% in 2024 compared to the previous year, when revenues were reported at 81,979.8 million pesos. The Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) highlights that in 2018, Grupo México and Kansas City Southern de México accounted for 95% of rail freight, demonstrating the dominance of these operators in the sector.
With a total length of 28,864 km, the Mexican railway system boasts a vast network that includes main, secondary, and private lines. While the freight sector shows sustained growth, the passenger railway market remains limited and concentrated on a few services, such as the Suburban Train and the Mexico-Toluca Train, which are the most used by passengers.
The development of the new 5G network and state regulation are key aspects that will influence the modernization and expansion of the railway sector in Mexico, where the use of the Carta Porte supplement, regulated by the SAT, is essential for the transport of goods and merchandise.
