Introduction to Trolebús Chalco-Santa Marta
Starting Sunday, May 18th, the Line 11 of Trolebús Chalco-Santa Marta will officially commence operations, connecting the eastern part of Mexico State with the eastern section of Mexico City. This launch follows a week of operational tests in what has been described as a “unique worldwide” project for its sustainable mobility model on an exclusive electric trolleybus second level.
Operating Segments
During this initial phase, nine stations will be available for public use:
- Santa Marta
- Parque de la Mujer
- Cuauhtémoc
- Puente Rojo
- Puente Blanco
- Parque Tejones
- José María Martínez
- Amalinalco
- Chalco Terminal
These stations will provide direct connections between the Iztapalapa borough and the Mexico State municipalities of Chalco, Valle de Chalco Solidaridad, and La Paz.
Pending Stations
Six stations will not be ready for the inauguration:
- Unión de Guadalupe, La Covadonga y Ejidal, located in the Chalco tract, continue under construction due to the installation of a stormwater collector to prevent flooding.
- Teotongo, La Virgen y Xico, situated on the Mexico-Puebla highway, are still under construction.
Connectivity and Travel Times
The new electric corridor connects with two CDMX Metro stations:
- Santa Marta, Line A (Pantitlán-La Paz)
- Constitución de 1917, Line 8 (Garibaldi-Constitución de 1917)
Additionally, in a future stage, the route will extend to Mixcoac, located in the western part of the capital.
The complete 18.5 km route can be traveled in:
- 33 minutes with express service
- 45 minutes in its regular mode
The service will operate daily from 04:30 to 24:00 hours.
System Features
100% electric units, free of polluting emissions or noise.
- Speed up to 60 km/h and autonomy of 75 km without recharging.
- In this first phase, 102 new trolebuses are operating; the goal is to have a total of 194 units.
- Initial attendance capacity: 120,000 passengers daily, projected to reach 230,000 in the mature phase.
Each trolebus measures 18 meters and is equipped with:
- Free WiFi
- Connected cameras to C5
- Braille signage
- Spaces for wheelchairs and service animals
- Luggage racks and priority spaces for women
This project was championed by federal, state, and city governments as part of a strategy to enhance mobility in the eastern part of the Greater Mexico City area, one of the most densely populated regions with significant transportation challenges.
The Trolebús Chalco-Santa Marta signifies a commitment to clean, rapid, and secure mobility, bringing efficient services to the peripheries and reinforcing intermetropolitan connections between Mexico State and Mexico City.
Key Questions and Answers
- What segments will be operating? Nine stations will be available for public use, connecting Iztapalapa with Chalco, Valle de Chalco Solidaridad, and La Paz.
- Which stations are still under construction? Union de Guadalupe, La Covadonga y Ejidal and Teotongo, La Virgen y Xico are not yet ready for the inauguration.
- How does this project improve connectivity? The new electric corridor connects with two CDMX Metro stations and will eventually extend to Mixcoac, enhancing intermetropolitan links between Mexico State and Mexico City.
- What are the system’s key features? The trolebuses are 100% electric, offering free WiFi, connected cameras, braille signage, and priority spaces for women. The project aims to serve 120,000 daily passengers initially, with a future capacity of 230,000.
