After Delays, Campeche Light Rail System is Launched

14 stations connect the Centro, airport, and Maya Train terminal

Campeche’s light rail system is here, and it’s designed to serve both locals and tourists for cheap.

The new public transportation service, which opened in late July, has regular fares of 18 pesos (about 90 cents US) and a preferential rate of 9 pesos for students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

The system represents a significant transportation upgrade for the historic port city after multiple delays. The 20.7-kilometer (12.9-mile) network includes 14 modern stations, connecting key areas such as the Centro Histórico, Ingeniero Alberto Acuña Ongay International Airport, and the Tren Maya, or Maya Train, terminal.

Despite being called a light rail, the Campeche system actually uses Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) technology. ART is a lidar (light detection and ranging) guided bi-articulated bus system intended for urban passenger transport. The vehicles follow painted lines on the roadway using optical sensors rather than traditional rails.

A Bus That Looks Like a Train

Each train is composed of three electric modules with a total capacity of 300 passengers. The vehicles operate using digital rail technology, guided by magnetic nails embedded in the pavement.

The Chinese company CRRC manufactured the vehicles, which were previously tested in Monterrey’s Ecovía line. Five units will operate on the Campeche system, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes.

Operational Challenges

Despite the celebration surrounding its launch, the Campeche system has faced ongoing scrutiny. The project’s completion came more than a year behind its original schedule, with costs exceeding initial projections. Officials cite technical challenges and the complexity of implementing ART technology as factors in the delays.

The project underwent significant changes and delays during development. Originally planned as a traditional light rail system, officials switched to ART technology in September 2023 to reduce costs and construction time. The system was initially scheduled to begin operations in August 2024, then delayed to April 2025, before finally opening in July 2025. The project had an initial investment of 5 billion pesos.

Technology and Safety Features

The system is monitored through a high-tech control center that uses fiber optics, 162 antennas, 76 surveillance cameras, and 111 smart traffic signals. The stations feature universal accessibility with tactile signage and advanced lighting.

The launch connects Campeche to the broader regional transportation network. The system links with the Tren Maya, Mexico’s ambitious 1,554-kilometer (966-mile) passenger railway that traverses the Yucatán Peninsula.

This development follows similar transportation improvements across the region. Yucatán state recently completed its most significant public transit overhaul in 25 years, adding 350 new buses to connect communities throughout the Peninsula.

Economic Impact

Beyond transportation, the project has revitalized the cityscape. During construction, it generated over 853 direct jobs and 474 indirect jobs, led to the rehabilitation of parks, installation of new lighting, and the creation of urban murals, and enhanced the aesthetic and social fabric of Campeche.

The launch’s timing allowed residents to experience modern transportation technology in their historic city. The system provides a convenient connection between major destinations while supporting the city’s growing tourism sector.

Governor Layda Sansores championed the project as a symbol of innovation for Campeche. The system represents Latin America’s first driverless light rail operation, though critics note that the vehicles are actually electric buses rather than traditional trains. Some transportation experts have questioned the “light rail” designation, arguing the system functions more like an advanced bus rapid transit network.

The inauguration marked a milestone for President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, which oversaw the project’s completion after it was initiated under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The delays raised questions about project management, but officials emphasized the system’s technological advancement.

Campeche joins a small number of cities worldwide using ART technology. Most systems operate in China, though similar guided bus networks exist in parts of Europe and have been tested in other locations globally. The Campeche implementation serves as a test case for the technology’s viability in Latin American urban environments.