This Wednesday, The Mexican Senate unanimously approved a reform to article 28 of the Constitution, which will allow the State to regain control of the railwaysfocusing on passenger service, an area that has been neglected since the privatization of the sector in the 1990s.
With 123 votes in favor and none against, the senators highlighted that Mexico has one of the most extensive railway networks in the worldwhich will contribute to mitigating the ecological disturbances and health effects generated by other means of transportation. At the moment, Only 0.9% of passenger movements in the country are made by train, demonstrating “underutilization of railway infrastructure.”
The reform seeks to take advantage of the more than 27,000 kilometers of existing roads to create a sustainable, accessible and efficient transportation option, as opposed to the use of highways. The development of new infrastructure is also expected, which will generate jobs and promote the growth of various regions, especially in lagging areas such as the southeast of the country.
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By increasing access to transportation, marginalized communities and regions will be guaranteed their right to mobility, connecting them to important industrial and commercial centers. On the platform, the senator Alejandro Esquerfrom the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), stated that this reform is crucial to recover state control of the roads, which will boost economic development, reduce transportation costs, reduce environmental impact and ensure an accessible service for all.
For its part, Senator María Guadalupe Murguía Gutiérrez, of the National Action Party (PAN), stressed that the railway system must be well planned, considering environmental studies and guaranteeing efficiency and quality. Néstor Camarillo, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), assured that a robust railway system can revitalize the economy and improve the quality of life of the most lagging communities.
Upon approval, the ruling will be sent to state legislatures for consideration.
EE