Mexico's Maya train has cost US$25bn - AMLO

Mexico has invested 500bn pesos (US$25.4bn) in the Maya train, vastly exceeding initial planned capex of 160bn pesos, according to its outgoing president.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), whose presidential term ended on Tuesday, revealed the figure in a speech during the inauguration of the Maya train’s Chetumal station on Sunday.

He said the 1,554km flagship project “was financed by the decision we made to cancel the tax exemptions for the wealthy, the influential ones. That is why it's very important not to allow corruption.”

Although he did not provide a timeframe for the investment, the project was presented in December 2018 as part of a national infrastructure plan.

López Obrador's figure is hard to verify because official data regarding the cost of the Maya train was classified in February for national security reasons. The data will become public in 2027.

Stretches 6 and 7 are still under construction, as well as the station close to Cancún international airport. Infrastructure to transport passengers between the airport to the station using EVs is also not yet finished. 

Experts have repeatedly criticized the project over a lack of financial feasibility and transparency.