The process of marking federal transportation units continues to raise doubts almost a month after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) .
While companies are moving forward with implementation, there are still questions about the actual costs , the durability of the materials and the feasibility of meeting the deadline set by the authority.
Before the approval of the markings, in the preliminary project presented to the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (Conamer) , the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) estimated that the cost would be 250 pesos per unit.
This calculation was based on a vehicle fleet of more than 316 thousand units, which would give a total cost of 79.1 million pesos for the implementation of the measure.
However, Patricia Vizcaya, Legal and Regulatory Director of the National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) , in conversation with T21, warned that in reality the costs are higher , without giving figures.
He explained that the actual price of marking exceeds that stipulated in the draft , since it depends on suppliers, quality of the material and necessary replacements, which can represent a much higher expense for transporters.
“It doesn’t cost 250 pesos, it doesn’t cost 300 pesos. It’s a significant cost for companies and it will depend on the provider they choose,” Vizcaya explained.
He also warned about the quality of the materials , since if they are not strong enough, they could require constant replacements, further increasing the expense.
In addition to the cost, another aspect that has generated concern is the application of beacons on units with specific designs or corporate colours.
“If the color scheme is getting in the way and you cannot put it exactly where it says, the recommendation is to place it in another space without affecting the company’s image,” said Vizcaya.
Vizcaya also pointed out that the 90-day deadline for compliance with the markings may seem short , but stressed that dialogue is ongoing with the authorities to achieve greater flexibility in its implementation.
“The three months they are indicating may seem short, but they are three months that we can surely promote so that there is an extension and that we continue with these important extensions while they finish with the entire fleet,” he explained.
He added that ANTP will continue working with SICT to extend deadlines so that companies can adapt without affecting their operations.
He suggested that fleets prioritize marking vehicles that circulate on routes with a higher incidence of crime, since this measure is part of the Balam Strategy, promoted by the National Guard .
Vizcaya stressed that marking is part of a national security strategy that seeks to facilitate the identification of vehicles in the event of theft, speeding up their possible recovery.
In light of this, the ANTP has requested that the SICT and the National Guard complement the markings with technological tools such as GPS and panic buttons , so that it does not depend solely on visual identification.
Will there be penalties for not marking?
One of the issues that has generated controversy is whether there will be sanctions for those who do not implement the markings.
Vizcaya clarified that, so far, there have been no fines or inspection operations. However, it warned that the sector must remain attentive to how the implementation of this measure will evolve and its impact on the operation of companies.
It is important to remember that marking consists of identifying vehicles using alphanumeric characters visible at different points on the vehicle. Depending on the type of vehicle, it should be placed on the sides, roof and rear, using reflective materials to ensure visibility.
