Mexico City’s New Cable Car Solution to Epic Traffic Jams

How Cable Cars Are Reshaping Mobility in Mexico City by Soaring Through the Sky

For decades, navigating Mexico City has been synonymous with traffic jams, long commutes, and a constant battle against congestion. The city’s mobility challenges are immense as one of the world’s most populous metropolises, with over 7.5 million registered motor vehicles on the road.

The most striking addition to the city’s transit landscape is its network of cable car lines, known as Cablebús. Unlike cities like Zacatecas, this is not a tourist attraction; it’s a form of public transit designed to connect some of the city’s most densely populated and geographically challenging neighborhoods, often located on steep hillsides in the eastern and northern reaches of the city and beyond into the greater CDMX metropolitan area in surrounding Mexico State. 

Before the Cablebús, residents of these areas faced grueling commutes. A trip that might be a few kilometers could take hours inside cramped minibuses navigating narrow, winding streets. The cable cars bypass all of this. For example, Line 2 of the Cablebus runs for 10.6 kilometers (6.6 miles) connecting Santa Marta to Constitución de 1917, though construction for further expansion of this line is underway. This commute can take roughly two or more hours during rush hour, but on the Cablebús, it is slashed to 17 minutes. 

“The best thing about the Cablebús is how safe it is. Minivans get robbed all the time, but up here with only 10 people aboard at a time, this can’t happen since there are police at every station who make sure everything is OK,” said Maria Esquivel of Delegacion Iztapalapa. “To say the Calbebús is an improvement would be an understatement, for some it’s a real lifesaver,” 

The Cablebús also integrates seamlessly with Mexico City’s massive Metro and Metrobus systems. 

The Metro System (STC Metro)

As the second-largest metro system in North America, with 12 lines and 195 stations over 200 kilometers (124 miles) of track, it remains the backbone of the city’s transit. Recent efforts have focused on improving safety, reliability, and accessibility. This includes the ongoing renovation of older trains (like the iconic MP-68), the introduction of new, more reliable rolling stock, and the critical but challenging modernization of signaling systems to increase frequency and prevent accidents.

The Metrobus System

This bus rapid transit (BRT) system has been a game-changer since its introduction. Operating in dedicated lanes, it bypasses traffic, offering a subway-like experience on the surface. The network spans seven lines and over 125 kilometers (78 miles). The city continues to expand this network, with new lines and extensions planned to fill critical gaps. The Metrobus excels at efficiently moving massive numbers of people. For example, Line 1 on Insurgentes Avenue transports over 700,000 passengers daily, making it one of the busiest BRT lines in the world.

A Unified Network

It is convenient to use the same prepaid card for Cablebús, Metro, and Metrobus. But what is even better is that the same card also works for renting city bikes and accessing bathrooms within stations, which are surprisingly well-maintained and clean. 

Prepaid cards can be purchased at most major stations, though using the city´s transit app is also an option. A ticket costs 7 pesos (roughly .40 cents USD), and even less expensive fares are available for students, those 65 or above, and persons with disabilities. 

A Tourism Attraction

Although the Cablebús was not designed as a tourist attraction, this does not mean visitors can’t enjoy it. Line 3, which departs from the Los Pinos station, directly behind Chapultepec Park, is the most popular among visitors and goes all the way to Vasco de Quiroga Station in the Santa Fe neighbourhood. 

During the ride, it’s possible to take in a bird’s-eye view of several of Mexico City’s massive skyscrapers, as well as soccer fields, the city’s famous Jewish cemetery, and an abandoned munitions factory from the Mexican-American War, in which the United States invaded Mexico (1847), as well as artworks designed to be observed from the air. At 7 pesos, that is quite a bargain. 

Line 2, which begins in Itzapalapa (far from the Zocalo, Polanco, La Condesa, or other tourist hotspots), is even more scenic. It has hundreds of painted roofs with Prehispanic, modern, and feminist motifs, as well as the occasional advertisement. Despite recent improvements, Itzapalapa remains one of the most dangerous parts of Mexico City. But once on the cable car, you’re safely above it all.