Introduction
The tragedy of Mexico City’s Metro Line 12 set a dark precedent. Structural failures exacerbated by five years of neglected preventive maintenance forced extensive work on Line 9, particularly its elevated section covering five stations from Mixhiuca to Pantitlán.
The Challenge of Preventing Collapse
Avoiding the collapse of damaged structures over nearly 35 years of continuous use posed a significant engineering challenge. The mission was clear: prevent collapse. This project involved a complex technical undertaking due to sinkholes up to 180 centimeters affecting the operation and safety of the public transport network between Venustiano Carranza and Iztacalco.
The releveling task was assigned to ZEA Prefabricados, a member of the Jaguar Business Group. Correcting deterioration required designing and applying construction procedures never before used in public infrastructure, such as diamond wire cutting and hydrodemolition. The work was carried out with minimal disruption to urban mobility and high precision.
Current Efforts to Recover the Light Rail Line
Meanwhile, larger tasks are underway to recover the Light Rail line, part of the Electric Transport Network connecting Taxqueña and Xochimilco. This improvement is possible thanks to the investment by the capital government to enhance urban infrastructure ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Maintenance and Preservation Issues
Insurance Coverage Controversy
In the maintenance and preservation of the SCT Metro, there have been counterexamples. One notable case precedes the bidding process for damage insurance contracted by Port Administrators, recently awarded to Seguros Inbursa with MRS as the intermediary for reinsurance. This allocation was challenged before the SICT OIC due to more competitive economic proposals than those formulated by the winning consortium.
Previously, this insurance coverage was assigned to GMX Seguros through the intermediary STAR Re, widely criticized by other industry companies for failing to place and collect premiums in many public sector programs. A notable case was the Line 12 incident combined with the Buen Tono command center fire. Negotiating payment for both incidents was a feat… and concealed a multi-million-dollar fraud attempt.
Facing potential regulatory investigations, the intermediary changed its name to UNIK Re. However, according to the CNSF’s list of authorized intermediaries, UNIK Re still lacks official authorization and SAT approval. Its directors, Marco Álvarez and Gerardo Velasco, have chosen self-exile.
Additionally, MRS dismissed its director, Daniel Fuentes, just ten days ago in dissuasive maneuvers.
Secondary Effects
Attention: Compelled by a framework contract from the Secretariat of Public Finance, public administration dependencies must register service providers for comprehensive cleaning and sanitation services of federal installations in the Specialized Service Provider Registry. Administrative areas of IMSS-Bienestar and ISSSTE have been overlooked, though the Labor Secretariat has taken note and is preparing actions as part of the 4T strategy’s second floor to prevent outsourcing abuses.
