The Mexican Association of Railways (AMF) reported that it is analyzing the federal government’s proposal in the 2027 Economic Package regarding the increase in fees applicable to railway concessions, and reaffirmed its willingness to work with the authorities in building alternatives that will strengthen revenue collection , preserve competitiveness, and maintain the necessary conditions to continue investing in the country’s railway infrastructure.

“For the AMF, it is necessary to implement mechanisms that allow for the gradual improvement of financial and investment planning in a capital-intensive industry that makes a significant contribution to the country’s development,” the organization emphasized.

He explained that greater participation of the railway allows for a reduction in the circulation of heavy vehicles on the roads , particularly in long-distance traffic where it is more efficient, with benefits in road safety and infrastructure conservation.

It also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% per ton transported and provides tax certainty regarding the legal consumption of diesel.

He highlighted that the Mexican railway sector has invested more than 16 billion dollars (USD) in the modernization and capacity of the system, including maintenance and rehabilitation of tracks, renewal of locomotives and fleet of specialized cars, terminals and technology.

“This effort has strengthened the system’s capacity and competitiveness, as well as consolidated trust and collaboration with railroads in the United States and Canada, which continue to invest in the Mexican market and in North America’s potential as one of the world’s most dynamic and competitive economic regions. The railroad is a key player in achieving the objectives set forth in the Mexico Plan ,” he emphasized.

The sector’s capital expenditures (CAPEX) are equivalent to approximately 100% of its net profit , reflecting the permanent reinvestment required by the railway infrastructure, he emphasized.

The Mexican freight railway is one of the most internationally competitive in price, with an average of $0.03 per ton-kilometer, comparable to the most competitive systems in America and Europe.

“Freight rail has achieved a 27% share of the land freight market compared to road transport, even without access to diesel at international prices and with additional costs in terms of security and cargo protection, which represent approximately 3% of the sector’s income,” he said.

He recalled that starting in 2019, this sector was stripped of the possibility of crediting the  Special Tax on Production and Services ( IEPS) for diesel , which represents an impact equivalent to almost 5% of the sector’s annual income.

It is worth remembering that the increase in the cost of using railways in the country is a proposal included in the 2027 Economic Package, with the purpose, according to the Mexican government, that the update will contribute with greater resources for the development of the sector, guaranteeing a “fair return to the State for the exploitation of a national asset”.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @GrupoT21

El cargo AMF analyzes increase in railway fees and calls for seeking alternatives to strengthen revenue collection apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican government has proposed a 140% increase in tolls for using the country’s railways ; however, the Maya Train, the Interoceanic Corridor, and other projects less than 15 years old will be exempt. It is estimated that the measure will have a greater impact on inflation, as well as an increase in logistics costs and the prices of various goods.

Humberto Vargas, Chief Commercial Officer of Crossdock , mentioned that the impact would be on essential products such as grains, raw materials in general, fuels, steel and finished products.

“We must be very careful; the current situation in freight transport could generate a greater inflationary impact than what is happening in the cross-border and national industries, due to increases in fuel costs and the shortage of operators that has led to price increases in the transport of goods,” he said in an interview with T21.

He indicated that it is necessary to be very careful in the application of this type of measure, since the cure could be worse than the disease. We see the effort to reduce the fiscal deficit, as the 2027 budget proposal seems to suggest; however, it must be analyzed in greater depth, and we must be careful about the impact it could have on royalties for the railway service.

Vargas emphasized that despite the example of other Latin American countries where the fee for concessions is higher, in Mexico concessions have been successful, as well as the model of Brazil, Argentina or Colombia.

According to the proposal included in the 2027 Economic Package, the Federal Law of Rights will be amended to update the rate from 1.25% to 3% on the total income obtained from the use, enjoyment or exploitation of the assets within the Regulatory Law of the Railway Service.

“This adjustment applies only to those participants in the sector with more than 15 years of experience using this public asset, with the purpose of maintaining conditions that favor the maturation of railway projects in early stages of development, guaranteeing a competitive railway system, strengthening connectivity and contributing to the sustainable reduction of passenger and freight transport costs at the national level,” the document stated.

According to the text, in Colombia the compensation is up to 5%, while in Argentina it is 3% and 3.5% in Brazil.

The government insisted that the upgrade will contribute more resources to the development of the sector, guaranteeing a “fair return to the State for the exploitation of a national asset, will allow investments in strategic areas for its development, thus guaranteeing the safety, continuity and efficiency of passenger and freight rail transport services.”

For his part, Carlos Barreda Westphal, director of  Ferroviaria.mx , commented that the proposal is positive if it is justified that the resources obtained will be allocated to “guaranteeing the development, security, continuity and efficiency of the railway system of our country.”

“This objective is clearly positive given the increase in the number of incidents (vandalism), migrant boarding of trains, and accidents at level crossings that seriously affect freight train operations. However, I believe that an increase of this magnitude (140%) should have been implemented gradually over a five-year period . We hope to see the results then, which will give the freight rail system the efficiency required to meet the projected increase in trade volumes with the United States,” he stated.

He explained that, under the proposed terms, the increased contribution would initially apply only to the country’s four main freight carriers : Ferromex, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) , Ferrovalle, and Ferrocarril Coahuila Durango . In the case of Ferromex, for example, which reported gross revenues of 48.038 billion pesos (MXN) in 2025, a 7% annual increase, this increase would represent a difference of 840.665 billion pesos (MXN) to be paid.

According to the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) ,  the National Railway System (SFN) has 29,042 kilometers of tracks and, during the period from January to March 2026, it moved 31.88 million tons of cargo by rail and 15.20 million passengers .

For this cycle, the SFN operated with 11 active concessionaires and assignees providing freight and passenger transport services.

ATRAPPI highlighted that in the first quarter of this year, 31.88 million tons of cargo were transported, which, compared to the same period in 2025, grew by 1.89 percent.

During that period, Ferromex moved 15.38 million tons, representing 48.2% of the cargo transported by the system. The company recorded a year-over-year increase of 6.5 percent.

In second place was CPKC of Mexico with 11.84 million tons and a share of 37.1%, although it showed an annual decrease of 7.1 percent.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Increased railway fees in Mexico would raise logistics costs and impact inflation apareció primero en T21.

More than 80 cars of a Ferromex freight train derailed near Estación Marte , in the municipality of General Cepeda, Coahuila, where railway personnel are already working to restart operations as soon as possible.

According to reports from the state government, strong gusts of wind were recorded in the area ; however, neither the company nor local authorities have yet reported on the possible causes of the accident, which occurred around 3:00 p.m. on September 13.

Ferromex personnel traveled to the site to begin the maneuvers to remove the affected units and carry out the necessary work to clear and rehabilitate the railway line.

The point where the derailment occurred is part of the rail connection between Saltillo and Torreón , a corridor that crosses south-central Coahuila and is integrated into the national rail network.

The area is logistically important due to its proximity to the main industrial centers in the southeast of the state, particularly Saltillo and Ramos Arizpe, where significant manufacturing activity is concentrated. From this corridor, the rail network connects to other strategic points in the country and provides links to the United States.

Ferromex also has an extensive network that connects industrial and logistics centers with border crossings such as Piedras Negras, Ciudad Juárez, Nogales and Mexicali, as well as with corridors that lead to ports on the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.

In that context, the accident that occurred at Estación Marte not only represents a local impact on rail traffic, but may also have repercussions on a route used for the movement of goods between industrial zones, distribution centers, borders and port terminals.

So far, no official information has been released regarding the origin, destination, or type of cargo of the train involved in the derailment.

The most recent data from the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) indicates that up to the first quarter of 2026, 20 derailment reports were registered, representing a decrease of 60.7% compared to the same period last year.

Main image taken from social media.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Ferromex train derails in Coahuila logistics corridor apareció primero en T21.

BNSF Railway expanded its intermodal services between the Phoenix and Dallas metropolitan area , seeking to facilitate the conversion of goods from road to rail, offering the Phoenix and North Texas route in just over three days, which will be operating six days a week.

“We are seeing more customers looking for capacity solutions as we approach the peak domestic shipping season, while continuing to manage their transportation costs,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF Group Vice President of Consumer Products.

Similarly, he indicated that this expanded service responds to market conditions and offers a solution that combines reliable transport, access to key markets and the advantages of intermodal transport.

He specified that this option utilizes the Intermodal Alliance Facility in North Texas, one of the country’s leading inland logistics hubs, which offers its customers access to a robust transportation ecosystem, significant warehousing and distribution capacity, as well as connectivity to major U.S. consumer markets.

“The expanded offering also lays the groundwork for future growth and increased capacity in Arizona. BNSF’s second intermodal facility in the Phoenix area, Logistics Park Phoenix (LPP), is currently under construction,” he said.

The first phase of the LPP is scheduled to open in early 2027 and is designed to support continued economic growth and supply chain investment in the region.

LPP is part of BNSF’s broader logistics park strategy, which connects industrial development with intermodal infrastructure to create greater supply chain efficiencies for customers.

“As freight capacity and demand continue to evolve, we remain focused on investing in solutions that help customers grow with BNSF. The Phoenix and North Texas markets represent significant opportunities for carriers, and this service expansion is another step toward providing the necessary infrastructure and transportation solutions to support that growth,” Jon Gabriel emphasized.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo BNSF increases intermodal service between Phoenix and Dallas apareció primero en T21.

Intermodal transport in Mexico continues to grow. As of the end of June 2026, it had increased by 8% year-on-year ; however, to further boost this segment, public policies are needed to balance freight movement in the country, thereby achieving environmental benefits by reducing emissions and promoting more sustainable freight mobility.

“If there are no certain measures, public policies, or governance mechanisms for intermodal transport, it will be difficult to achieve more rapid growth,” says Carlos Martner, coordinator of Integrated Transport and Logistics at the Mexican Institute of Transport (IMT) .

There are measures that apply to the sector as a whole but not to trucking. One such measure is Annex 29 of the Miscellaneous Tax Resolution (RMF), which is required for cross-border intermodal shipments . “This slows things down because it’s not always digitized; there are paper-based procedures, and it’s somewhat subject to the discretion of the person reviewing it. These kinds of details don’t encourage this type of transport. Protocols are needed to prevent blockages on the rail lines. If you don’t have clearly established policies or protocols, these become factors that discourage this mode of transport.”

While the issue of revoking licenses for drivers who don’t speak English has been a benefit to the sector, “that’s part of the reason several carriers are leaving and the low supply on the American side. We don’t have clear data, but there is a benefit to it,” notes Luis Hernández, president of the Mexican Intermodal Transportation Association (AMTI) .

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Balancing the load to strengthen intermodal transport apareció primero en T21.

The Argentine government launched the tender for the privatization of the company Belgrano Cargas y Logística (BCyL) which includes the General Belgrano, General San Martín lines – both of interest to Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) – and General Urquiza, which will be concessioned for 50 years .

The document specified that the rolling stock, its surrounding properties and the use of the workshops will also be under concession.

The concession will be granted under an open access regime, with investment plans and the possibility of accessing the benefits of the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) for those who win said railway infrastructure.

“The goal is to incorporate private capital and management capacity to recover an infrastructure that for decades accumulated deterioration, lack of maintenance and insufficient investment, despite the growing resources allocated by the National State,” he stated.

He recalled that at the beginning of the current administration, BCyL presented a critical operational and financial situation, since technical reports indicated significant economic losses for the company , coupled with a significant deterioration of the infrastructure, a high number of derailments, lack of cyclical maintenance and a failure of between 20% and 40% of the scheduled maintenance of the traction fleet during 2023.

Faced with this situation, the new model seeks to have the private sector contribute the capital and experience , and assume the entrepreneurial risk necessary to recover and develop the system, while the National State maintains its functions of regulation, oversight and control.

The open access scheme for railway infrastructure will allow the participation of different operators under objective and non-discriminatory conditions. It also includes mandatory works that must be carried out during the first five years of the concessions, along with optional works that bidders may commit to and which will be considered during the awarding process.

The 50-year timeframe will create the necessary conditions for large-scale, long-recovery-period railway investments , providing predictability for the development of new infrastructure and the incorporation of private capital.

In turn, the long-term horizon will allow for monitoring the maturation of new loads and will ensure that the concessionaire has incentives to maintain and renew the network throughout the term of the contract.

The railway network of more than seven thousand kilometers to be concessioned directly impacts 16 provinces: CABA, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Misiones, Chaco, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis and Catamarca.

The planned interventions include works to eliminate the railway bottleneck in the city of Santa Fe and recover the sugar branch of the Belgrano Line; rehabilitate the capacity, reliability and regularity of the main corridor of the San Martín Line; and recover the trunk branch of the Urquiza Line.

Argentina’s Ministry of Economy specified that the deadline and time for consultations on the bidding documentation will be until October 28, and the submission and opening of bids will be on November 11 of this year.

The winner of the tender will have to carry out the mandatory works within the first five years from the date of taking possession.

As well as the optional and additional works authorized to which it has committed in its offer within the agreed period, which may not exceed 15 years.

It is worth remembering that in 2025, GMXT confirmed its interest in participating in the bidding process for the modernization and operation of a railway network in Argentina .

According to reports from Argentine media, at that time, Bernardo Ayala, CEO of GMXT USA, had confirmed the above after a meeting with journalists, where he stated “that it is a unique opportunity to participate in a process similar to the one carried out in Mexico in 1998.”

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Argentina launches tender to privatize the Belgrano Cargas railway apareció primero en T21.

The Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transportation (ATTRAPI) reported that 10 companies have shown interest in the construction and design of 68 kilometers (km) of section I of the Querétaro-Saltillo passenger train, Querétaro-San Luis Potosí section, Querétaro-San Miguel de Allende subsection, chainage from km 0+000 to km 68+000.

He also specified that the tender includes the construction of viaducts, stations, tunnels, bridges, railway underpasses, railway overpasses, and pedestrian bridges.

According to the documents, the representatives of González Soto y Asociados , Comsa Infraestructura , Mota-Engil México , Omega Construcciones Industriales , Impulsora de Desarrollo Integral , ICA Constructora , DANIFERROTOOLS , Constructora Gallo Meda , Calzada Construcciones and China Railway International Group Co. were present at the first clarification meeting .

According to ATTRAPI, the tender includes the construction of a railway line, which includes the necessary studies for the preparation and authorization of the executive project , and subsequently the development of the construction work will be carried out.

“The project is designed to operate at speeds of up to 177 kilometers per hour (km/h). Furthermore, its route has been carefully planned to minimize environmental and social impacts, making extensive use of existing rights-of-way and complying with the urban development regulations of each municipality,” he explained.

The rail connection between Querétaro and San Luis Potosí will promote the attraction of investments in the commercial, industrial and social sectors, in addition to contributing to the reduction of travel times and the mitigation of polluting emissions.

The agency specified that the estimated start date for the work will be September 24th , with an execution period of 851 calendar days.

It is worth remembering that ATTRAPI also launched the call for bids for the construction and design of 82 km of section II of the Querétaro-Saltillo train, Querétaro-San Luis Potosí section, San Miguel de Allende-Villa de Reyes subsection, chainage from km 68+000 to km 150+000.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo These companies show interest in section I of the Querétaro-Saltillo train apareció primero en T21.

The Land Transportation Board (STB) reported that it has resumed the procedural timeline for considering the merger application submitted by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) .

“It is important to note that this decision does not constitute a ruling on the merits of the merger application or on the issues raised by commentators or in motions submitted since the applicants filed on July 27. The Board will address these matters in subsequent decisions,” STB stated.

The agency recalled that on May 28 it accepted the applicants’ revised major merger request for consideration, but suspended the procedure requiring the submission of additional information.

“This step ensured that STB had the necessary information to thoroughly evaluate the proposed transaction and allowed the public an adequate opportunity to comment on whether the transaction is in the public interest. The applicants submitted supplemental information to the Board on July 7 and 27, 2026. In today’s decision, STB considers the record now sufficient to resume the procedural schedule,” the statement said.

The decision, he mentioned, favors the timeline that is designed to provide stakeholders with sufficient time to consider the potential impacts of the proposal .

Therefore, he explained that those who wish to participate in the procedure as registered parties (i.e., those who want to be notified with copies of all documents submitted in this procedure) must duly submit a notice of intent to participate to the Board before September 4, 2026 .

He indicated that comments on the revised application, including objections, requests for conditions, and any other evidence or arguments against it, must be submitted by November 18. Responses to the comments must be delivered by February 16, 2027.

In addition to establishing a procedural timetable, the decision also orders applicants to resubmit, within 10 days, any working papers to which selection criteria have been applied .

The STB also denied the railroads’ request for expedited proceedings regarding their proposals to divest themselves of control of the St. Louis Terminal Railroad Association. The applicants’ working papers must be submitted by August 28.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo STB reactivates timeline for merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern apareció primero en T21.

MONTERREY, NL.– The sun’s rays were just beginning to bathe the emblematic Fundidora Park when the employees of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico gathered to participate in a race that combined sport, camaraderie and team spirit , reflecting the company’s commitment to the health and well-being of its workers.

More than a decade and a half of sporting tradition was reflected in the sixteenth edition of the CPKC Mexico race , where employees and their families participated in a day of physical activity and camaraderie.

As part of the event, medals and awards were presented , in addition to prizes for the top three places in the different categories, including the children’s participants.

Fundidora Park offered runners a route surrounded by large green areas , wooded paths and some of the most representative spaces of the old industrial zone that today constitutes one of the main urban lungs of Monterrey.

The symbiosis of Fundidora Park with the railway has its roots in the very development that this industrial space reached, where there was a wide internal network to move coal, iron ore and molten steel between the workshops and furnaces.

Now, in those spaces, the race participants were able to enjoy attractive views of the park, which were combined with a festive atmosphere driven by music and batucada along the route.

The competition featured runners of varying ages and experience levels , from those seeking to improve their personal bests to those participating in a sporting event for the first time. Children also had their own dedicated space, participating in categories designed to promote physical activity and healthy social interaction from an early age.

At the end, the awards ceremony was held, in which the top three places in each category were recognized for their performance. The winners received trophies and certificates, while all participants received commemorative medals as a memento of the event.

With these types of initiatives, CPKC de México reaffirmed its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles , strengthening the bonds between its employees and creating spaces for coexistence that transcend the workplace, consolidating a tradition that year after year brings together the railway family around sports and recreation.

Seniority, recognition of career

As part of the festivities, CPKC of Mexico took the opportunity to recognize the career of its employees at its Seniority 2026 event, during which awards were given to staff who completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service .

From the perspective of Oscar Del Cueto, president of CPKC Mexico, the anniversary celebrations reflect learning, challenges overcome, shared achievements, and relationships that strengthen the company culture . Furthermore, the examples set by the honorees inspire the new generations joining this railway family.

“This year, we also recognized Ana Laura Salazar, who has reached 30 years of service with our organization. This achievement reflects her dedication, perseverance, professionalism, and a deep passion for contributing to collective success. She embodies the value of building a career that leaves a legacy that transcends results and positively impacts those around her,” Oscar Del Cueto emphasized.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo On rails, 16th CPKC Race of Mexico apareció primero en T21.

The Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) launched the call for bids for the construction and design of 82 kilometers (km) of section II of the Querétaro-Saltillo train , Querétaro-San Luis Potosí section, San Miguel de Allende-Villa de Reyes subsection, chainage from km 68+000 to km 150+000.

According to the document, representatives from Holcim Mexico Operations , Calzada Construcciones, ICA Constructora , VISE , and GP Construcción were present during the first working visit .

In addition to China Communications Construction Company Mexico , Regiomontana de Construcción y Servicios, and Proveedora de Materiales del Norte.

The tender includes the construction of viaducts, tunnels, bridges, railway underpasses, railway overpasses and pedestrian bridges in Guanajuato , with the purpose of connecting the cities of Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende.

The agency specified that the first and second clarification meetings will be on October 13 and 31, respectively, while the submission of bids will be on October 2, and the decision will be announced on the same day.

According to ATTRAPI, the work will begin on November 2, 2026, with a completion time of 1,003 calendar days .

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Evangelina del Toro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo ATTRAPI launches tender for section II of the Querétaro-Saltillo train apareció primero en T21.