Background on Claudia Sheinbaum and the Significance of Her Initiative
Claudia Sheinbaum, the current Head of Government of Mexico City, has taken a significant step in revitalizing Mexico’s railway system. Her initiative, approved by the Chamber of Deputies with a single dissenting vote, aims to create the Agencia de Trenes y Transporte Público Integrado (ATTRAPI) to reactivate passenger rail services and strengthen the national railway system.
Reform Details and Objectives
The approved reforms modify the following laws: Reglamentaria del Servicio Ferroviario, Orgánica de la Administración Pública Federal, de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, de Vías Generales de Comunicación, and General de Bienes Nacionales.
- The reform seeks to regulate and harmonize the decrees that allow the government to resume the right of use for railway lines, thereby promoting passenger transport services.
- It aims to expand the traditional role of railways in transporting cargo to include a public passenger transportation service, fostering economic, productive, and tourism integration across different regions of the country.
- The reform ensures that the state has necessary organizations and enterprises to carry out crucial activities, either independently or in collaboration with the social and private sectors.
ATTRAPI Creation and Responsibilities
As part of this reform, the Agencia de Trenes y Transporte Público Integrado (ATTRAPI) is established as a regulatory body with the responsibility of coordinating railway projects. The agency will have the authority to:
- Construct general communication railway lines for public transportation services.
- Acquire railway infrastructure, components, and public transport equipment.
ATTRAPI will function as a decentralized entity with legal personality, proprietary assets, technical autonomy, and sectoral management under the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT).
Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario
This reform also establishes the Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario, responsible for:
- Regularizing and overseeing the construction, operation, exploitation, maintenance, and conservation of railway infrastructure.
- Ensuring interconnection on rail lines when they are general communication routes.
- Promoting intermodal operation and imposing penalties for infractions.
Political Support and Impact
During the discussion of this reform, lawmakers from different parties expressed their support:
- PAN: Abril Ferreyro Rosado supported the reform, emphasizing its role in bridging distances at a low cost and democratizing urban areas. She also stressed the importance of ensuring that economic actors do not negatively impact existing freight rail lines or disrupt national supply chains.
- PRI: Andrés Cantú Ramírez highlighted the significance of supporting infrastructure that connects Mexico, emphasizing that a robust railway system symbolizes progress, unity, and modernization.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of this reform? The primary goal is to revitalize Mexico’s railway system by creating the Agencia de Trenes y Transporte Público Integrado (ATTRAPI) to reactivate passenger rail services and strengthen the national railway system.
- What laws were modified by this reform? The reforms modified the Reglamentaria del Servicio Ferroviario, Orgánica de la Administración Pública Federal, de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, de Vías Generales de Comunicación, and General de Bienes Nacionales.
- What are the responsibilities of ATTRAPI? ATTRAPI will construct railway lines, acquire infrastructure and equipment, and regulate the railway sector to ensure efficient, safe, eco-friendly, accessible, and modern transportation services.
- What is the significance of this reform for Mexico’s development? This reform aims to align Mexico with the Agenda 2030 objectives by promoting more accessible, clean, and efficient transportation. It also emphasizes the strategic value of strengthening railway infrastructure for both goods and passenger transport, with hopes to recover more than 3,500 km of rail lines and foster regional and national development.
