SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL.– The 140% increase in railway concession fees could be passed on to freight transport rates starting in 2027, making the movement of goods more expensive and generating inflationary pressures in Mexico. However, despite the federal government’s proposal being approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the industry continues discussions with authorities seeking alternatives , including tax measures, to mitigate the economic impact and prevent the increased operating costs from being passed on to its customers.
One of the proposals involves granting rail transport a tax treatment equivalent to that received by road transport in terms of the Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS).
“What we are fighting for is that they give us the same IEPS consideration that they give to land transport in exchange for the increase, and that way it wouldn’t impact the rates, although we would have to evaluate it,” Luis Hernández, executive vice president of Intermodal at Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) , told T21 .
However, he reiterated in an interview at ETYL MTY 2026 , organized by Grupo T21 , that the industry will continue to seek a gradual adjustment in line with inflation, rather than applying a 140% increase all at once.
“We agree that the increase should be in line with inflation, not 140% overnight. Railroads in Mexico have invested billions of dollars during their concession periods, in addition to paying royalties. If they had imposed a 6% or 7% increase, we could still absorb it in the overall cost, but with 140%, there comes a point where we can no longer bear that cost. We will have to assess how much we can pass on to the market,” he explained.
It should be noted that the Chamber of Deputies approved with 339 votes in favor , 113 against and two abstentions in general and in particular, the opinion that reforms, adds and repeals various provisions of the Federal Law of Rights , to update fees of the tax regime applicable to the use, enjoyment or exploitation of the assets of the public domain of the nation.
According to the document, a 140% increase in tolls for the use of railways in the country was proposed; however, the Maya Train, the Interoceanic Corridor, and other projects with less than 15 years of service will be exempt. The proposal, included in the 2027 Economic Package, will amend the Federal Law of Rights to update the rate from 1.25% to 3% of total railway revenue .
Hernández considered that the main risk for the sector lies in the fact that the increase will end up being reflected in rail rates and in the prices of transported products, supply chains and the final consumer, as well as in federal policy on the use of said transport.
“It’s worse for Mexico, because it will increase the cost of transporting goods by rail. At the end of the day, if rates go up, the price of the final product goes up, and we’ll all end up paying for it,” he said.
Although railway companies are still analyzing scenarios to cope with the increase , one of the main challenges will be determining which segments of freight transport could absorb the higher costs. However, other markets, such as the movement of minerals and grains, could experience greater tariff pressures.
“Intermodal rates certainly won’t be affected, because they are very competitive, but we would have to evaluate what we are going to do with minerals and grains, which also have an impact on the cost of living,” he pointed out.
Regarding whether this increase could have implications for the investment programs of the concessionary companies, he indicated that for now there are no plans to halt the committed projects.
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