If you can’t disagree with me without calling me vulgar names or threatening violence to me and my family, then I’m not interested in hearing what you have to say. That’s all, merry Christmas.

Lesson learned: people complain when you take too long to build trains, and when you build them too fast

There is no piece of actual infrastructure you can build without having social or environmental impacts so the question should be how much can you limit it and is the outcomes worth the price...

Often a lot of resistance to new rail schemes but none is allowed in the case of road schemes yet roads are much wider and do far more environmental damage due to the space that they take up, street lighting and other such infrastructure.

As an ex-pat resident of Mexico I have come to understand how difficult completion of major infrastructure projects can be. If not completed within a six year presidential term, they can be killed, derailed, or permanantly abandoned by the next administration. I live in Guadalajara where a third subway line began and then ran out of money in the administration preceding Obredor. His new administration unloaded the project managers who were grifting the project, refunded it with tight fiscal controls and got it done. Not only has Obredor completed Tren Maya, he has completed the coast to coast freight rail line to augment the Panama canal, stopped the exorbitantly corrupt and expensive new Mexico Coty Airport project, and completed a much more cost effective new airport for Mexico City. Not bad for a get it done President: a subway line, a new international airport, and two major train lines.

As someone from California and with family from Mexico, the Tren Maya makes me really proud as a Mexican-American. They were able to build this in 5 years! Although not complete but already open, it's not perfect but it's working! Whereas the bullet train from SF to LA has been talked about since 2008, it was supposed to be finished by 2020 and yet the completion date keeps getting pushed back to 2030, then to 2040... The United States is failing in its infrastructure. I would at least love to see a second BART transbay tube in the Bay Area, sad for the US but amazing for Mexico.

The Interoceanic Corridor, meant for passengers and cargo, also opened today. It goes from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico, connecting two ports and lots of towns. It'll eventually connect to the Maya Train.

One of my fave youtube train channels doing a review about the come back of passenger trains in Mexico: APPROVED 👍🏾

Maya isn't just a language, it's a language family! The most common Mayan language is Yucatec Maya! But as you and Bear saw, their word for train is Tsíimin K'áak. Tsíimin means horse, and K'áak means fire, so literally translated, the train is a fire horse! This tourist intercity train approach reminds me of the LIRR's Montauk Branch. The Montauk Branch provides year-round service for the locals of the South Shore and South Fork, but during the summer, it's pretty much a tourist train for those partying in the Hamptons, visiting the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse, or heading out to Fire Island by ferry. The Cannonball provides express weekend summer service to the Hamptons, originating in 1899. As you pointed out, the referendum for it back in December 2019 only had two percent of over three million show up to vote as most didn't have the financial means to go vote. Besides voters only being shown the positives, the majority of voters were municipal employees. All of this was criticized by the UN Human Rights High Commissioner's Mexico office. That said, it's amazing that this region of Mexico now has consistent intercity train service. As you brought up, it takes less time than by bus. And like the Montauk Branch, having this revolutionary service benefits both tourists and locals alike, offering locals modern service, job creation, and more economic opportunity, thus improving the quality of life there.

First line train in Mexico since almost last century, we are very proud, train are the only transportation method that I will always support and we need more.

Great to see Bear in Latin America! Latin America is often overlooked in the transit community but has just as interesting transit as the rest of the world, like the Mi Teleférico gondola system in La Paz, or Buenos Aires's Subte! Cuba was actually the VERY first country in the Spanish-speaking world to get trains! Yes, even before Spain itself! Cuba's railway history began in October 1834 during the colonial period, when the Queen Regent Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies approved the first line. This was built by the Compañía de Caminos de Hierro de la Habana between Havana and Bejucal at 27.5 km or 17.1 miles in November 1837. Spain wouldn't get trains until 1848 when the first line was built between Barcelona and Mataró. Cuba even has an interurban, the Hershey Electric Railway, connecting Havana with Matanzas. The railway was built by the Hershey Company to transport sugar from what is now Camilo Cienfuegos, which was formerly called Hershey as Hershey built a town for the workers of the plantations, to the port of Havana. The original electric interurban cars were bought from the JG Brill Company but were replaced in the 1990s by Catalonian ones.

Wow, these comments really are proving how this issue has politically divided the country. My apologies for being “brainwashed” by several dozen sources in multiple languages, across the political spectrum and in different academic fields. Next time, I’ll just repeat exactly what a politician told me to say! But only if you promise to argue against what I’m actually saying, and not what you’ve made up that I’m saying.

El Castillo at Chichén Itzá served as a temple to the deity Kukulcán, the Yucatec Maya Feathered Serpent deity. Each side of the temple has 91 steps. Combined with the temple platform as the final step, that's 365 for the Maya Haab' calendar! The temple mimics the chirping sound of the quetzal bird when humans clap their hands around it, research done shows this was on purpose as the builders felt divinely rewarded by the echoing effect of this structure. When the light hits just right with the sun striking off the northwest corner of the temple, it casts a series of triangular shadows against the northwest balustrade, creating the illusion of the feathered serpent crawling down the temple. Here's some jaguar facts: Jaguar comes from the Tupi-Guarani word yaguara meaning "wild beast that overcomes its prey at a bound". It is the biggest cat species in the Americas and the third largest in the world. Relative to their size, they have the strongest bite of the cat kingdom. While a jaguar’s bite force is only three-quarters as strong as a tiger’s bite force, jaguars have the stronger bites since they are considerably smaller (up to 170 cm long, not including their tails, which can grow up to 80 cm). Jaguars are excellent swimmers. They have adapted to living in wet environments, and hunt aquatic or semi-aquatic creatures like fish, turtles, caimans, and capybaras. They also hunt for deer, birds, opossums, and armadillos.

I'm more critical of the stations being so far from the cities themselves than anything

We're always happy to see a video with Bear! Great editing Thom, and a very fair and well balanced take on the Tren Maya. I was interested to see so many passengers taking photos of the train throughout Bear's journey. Those seats looked really nice even in tourist class.

“This project is not controversial!” Sure. That’s why I’ve been accused of being too right-leaning, too left-leaning, too nuanced, too extreme, too objective, too biased, completely wrong, and completely right. Sounds like we got ourselves the textbook definition of controversial here. But comment away! And thanks for the engagement.

Thom, you really outdid yourself! You even beat Classy Whale to it! At this rate I bet next weeks video is going to be something like the entire Orient Express in the highest class! Seriously, keep up the good videos and I will always keep watching :)

Very balanced presentation without pushing one side or the other. Yes, getting the local stakeholders on board from the beginning is always both helpful and respectful.

You did an amazing job with remaining unbiased throughout the video, giving a detailed explanation of the positives and negatives of this system. Thanks!

Awesome video. I could not agree with you more, providing a first hand look at a situation is far better then any other alternative. So many videos during the holidays is crazy commitment on your part as well. I hope you and your family all get to take some time off and relax for Christmas and the New Year!

I love your brothers style. You can tell you guys were raised right. Props to your parents.

I will admit, as a huge train enthusiast, the controversy over Tren Maya is astounding, but not surprising to hear in all honesty...

A fascinating trip on a fascinating new train. Great job Bear and Thom!

Great job Bear and yes you add a lot to this channel and always an adverture when your involved

Thank you for this awesome video. I really appreaciate all the time and effort you put in the research. Hopefully you can visit the Tren Interoceánico that will connect Coatzacoalcos and Salina Cruz that are two port cities in the Atlantic & the Pacific Ocean. This aims to compete and complement the Panama Canal. It's a much less controversial train as they had the tracks before but now they have been upgraded. This train will also have an additional line that will connect Coatzacoalcos & Palenque with the Tren Maya. The first line was inaugurated yesterday by president AMLO. Hopefully you can visit this train as well.

Wow 😮 por fin el sureste mexicano tendrá trenes de pasajeros algo nunca antes visto esto permitirá el desarrollo y la modernidad de esas zonas turísticas 📈 yo y mi familia estaremos ahí 🚈🚝🚄🚄👏👏👏👏

Great to see the 21st century in Mexican infrastructure, it’s now close to Europe and North America standards now✌️❤️🇬🇧

Well. It’s probably a net-positive for the region considering how many buses it will remove from roads and how many new jobs this will create. This is the unfortunate reality that all this human activity destroys the jungle, but, frankly, having traveled to Tulum last year, the entire town has grown threefold compared to 10 years ago, so much new construction and traffic. So tren maya didn’t magically create the tourist demand and environmental pressures, it’s trying to “contain” it by providing environmentally-friendly-ish way to travel from one place to another. The only other viable solution is to stop traveling to Yucatan altogether.

Thank you for this balanced coverage. It´s refreshing to see a broader picture: the costs and benefits of a project like this.

Controversy aside, I can understand why AMLO rushed the project. In Mexico a president can only serve a single term, and it's rare for a project started under one president to carry over into the administration of the next president. This project would've been backburnered and sat half finished for decades had it been implemented slowly. In Mexico you basically have at most 6 years to complete a major infrastructure project because the next president will halt work on it as a matter of principle, especially if not the same political party as their predecessor.

As a California resident I am envious about the fast construction. Our High Speed Rail seems like it may never be operational.

Great vid, Thom and Bear. I saw a B1M video about the concept ages ago. Great to see it come to fruition!

I'm a Maryland expat living in Florida. I'm on the Gulf side of Tampa Bay, and there's a new-ish BRT system here, the SunRunner, which goes from downtown St. Petersburg, on the Tampa Bay side of the county, all the way across to the Gulf side beaches. True, it was "simply" a matter of redesigning an existing urban area, but it sure went from the drawing board to revenue service in a HURRY. And then, of course, there's Brightline. Contrast that to Maryland Route 200, the Intercounty Connector. That thing went through so many Environmental Impact Statements, and lawsuits, and newly (or is it conveniently?) discovered endangered species, and more lawsuits, and additional Environmental Impact Statements, and and and, that it took over HALF A CENTURY to complete. Meanwhile, traffic on 495 kept on getting worse, while the lawyers kept getting richer. And do NOT get me started on either the Purple Line, or the Silver Spring Transit Center. Just, don't. My point is, that there really is such a thing as studying a project to death. If opponents can't get a project officially scrapped, they can delay it forever with endless lawsuits, which can be just as effective. I'm not unsympathetic to the historic and environmental concerns here. Really, I'm not. But sometimes, "we need more studies" ultimately comes down to being a euphemism for "not in my backyard." The Maryland way doesn't cut it: been there, seen that. At some point, the engineers have to be able to tell the lawyers to sit down and shut up. On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure this was the best way to approach a new build of this magnitude, in this location.

What an accolade Thom to be the first English-speaking YT vlogger. I bet Simply Railways must be pissed off.

I am a little torn on projects like this. On the one hand it’s great to get something like this built in reasonable time frames. Big infrastructure projects will always be controversial, so just because there is controversy doesn’t mean it’s a bad project. We’ve gone completely overboard in the other direction with our environmental and political reviews here in Germany to a point where we’re massively delaying projects and even scrapping them, like the desperately needed Hamburg-Hannover highspeed line, because when everybody gets a say nothing ever gets built. At the same time this project seems like it’s overly rushed even on safety related issues. A good middle ground is probably what would be needed.

I know that guy! I’ve met him. He’s very cool!

Excellent video, Thom!! Your nuance and attention to the tense political situation regarding this infrastructure project is appreciated.

A very good balance has been struck here, well done! Thereapart it's always good to see how members of your family step up to the plate to fulfil the style and brief of your channel. Oh and the Mexican name of this variant of the train sounds rather close to a Korean swearword \m/

23:43 He said the thing!!!

Interesting video! It sounds like environmental reviews and lawsuits are still going to happen on the line. Considering all the eco-tourism in the area, they would be smart to liberally spread wildlife overpasses/underpasses through the region and embrace other conservation measures, even if it's after the fact.

I never knew this had opened, thanks for the video ✌️❤️🇬🇧

The people who argue about the train being an ecological threat never mention that the majority of the rails already existed for several decades. In other words, much of the land clearing had been done before work on the Tren Maya project even began. In addition, special passageways for wildlife (545 in all) have been placed at strategic points along the route. There has also been a constant collaboration between the government and the National Institute of Anthropology and History, in terms of preserving any vestiges of the ancient Mayan civilizations that have been unearthed--of which there have been many! Another thing that should be mentioned is that the Tren Maya, while being AMLO's most visible infrastructure project, is really only part of what promises to be the revitalization of train travel in Mexico in general. The commuter train between Mexico City and neighboring city Toluca (considered a bedroom community by many) is nearly completed. It's currently at 85% and is slated to be fully operational next year. Other routes linking the country's major cities are also in the works. As for the cost inflation, a major contributing factor has been the construction of new housing for people who live alongside the train's route; people who had previously been living in conditions of extreme poverty. The locals enthusiastically support the project because it will create many employment opportunities for them, since new eco-tourist hotels have also been included as complementary elements of the train's stations.

For me the main problem is that this was declared a "national security" project by the president so it could be developed in total opacity and bypassing all laws. The project would had been great if they had followed law and protocol. Also the cost is several times more than was promised. Also important to note that despite having a modern train price it's just 120kmh (74mph) maximum speed.

I just wish they would’ve environmentally surveyed the area before building the route. I think it’s unacceptable that they didn’t environmentally survey the region. That being said, it would’ve been much worse if they built a highway through there which apparently about 20 years ago, they wanted to build a highway there. The highway would’ve demolished more of the forest and displaced more people and would’ve probably put the jaguar on the endangered species list and it’s already near threatened as it is. Expanding train service is crucial to a better future, but at the same time it needs to be done responsibly and ethically. To conclude I’m not against Tren Maya, and to have a train serving an often neglected area is a very good thing, but it also needed to go through environmental surveys before being built

Suddenly the environmental review process common in America doesn't sound so bad.

I used Fiesta del Vida as the ending theme for [most of] my videos from when I studied abroad in Madrid in 2022, which covers my first experiences with AVE (was just long, but countryside views were nice), ICE (which sucked in terms of service and just as a day overall), and TGV (why do all French trains look/feel old?)

That’s a cool looking new train. I haven’t really heard of that many of the trains in Mexico but my dad told me one time that they would build a high speed rail system in Mexico City five years ago which has still been proposed as of last year. I think he showed me a picture of the upcoming plan at the time with the some of the city skyline in the background.

I'm reminded of Taiwan's HSR. I rode it in 2009 and saw most of the intermediate stops were almost out in the countryside. I rode it again two months ago noticing urban development had nicely filled in the station neighborhoods. The THSR station in Taichung even has an elevated metro line connection. This is what could happen in Merida and other locations, good or bad. Thom, I'm really impressed by this video and your effort to strike a balance. But the delightful surprise was your Spanish pronunciations; no doubt stemming from your time living in Japan.

Thanks for the video; I’ve been interested in the project for awhile but it’s sometimes difficult to find good info in English

Excellent video, I don’t think anyone could have done a better job of presenting a balanced report on this train and its history. Just a few additions: the reason there are so many soldiers around is because López Obrador put the whole thing under the control of the military. Also, if you search Google maps for Tren Maya Estación Teya, the new train station outside Mérida, it still shows a big patch of jungle in the satellite view (which is not up to date). It’s a shame for Bear that the transfer to town took so long. It is a beautiful and friendly and safe city worth staying for a few days or more. I have done almost the whole of what will be the Tren Maya system by car, yes it takes longer but you can see so much more.

The video I’ve been looking for! Thanks. Very unbiased!

Once the Cancun-Tulum line opens, it’s going to be the influencer express as so many influencers will take it to go to and from Tulum for #content Not even Bali has a train line, yet.

As someone who has lived in areas where trains were or were becoming a major part of transport, i think the impact to sensitive ecology will remain by far lower than any other option short of beaming. Pollution reduction from the taipei subway was like 30% of the city's total.

Are they going to electrify the line? I see what looks like caternary poles.

Im happy mexico is pushing the train system. The only thing I disagree with is the way was built. I think the president was scared that other presidents could cancel or make modifications to his greatest project. Also, I think it was better to actually open until February when everything is done so the people can have a better experience

Excellent video gents. Thanks for the news, history and updates!!! Love it. 🔥 trains actually look really good. Cant wait to see the other train sets.

There needs to be some reform with the local transit systems. One HOUR? yeesh.

0:36 We bare Bear! 9:55 Menu solo en Español. Ayayay!

I'm very happy to see this video! I wish with all the rule-breaking the Lopez Obrador authorized, that the train stations had been located closer to the city centers. The two locations you showed are highly compromised. They're just too far out of the way. Some kind of auto transportation is needed to access them. Otherwise, the train looks great. I couldn't help but notice all the cleaning people working hard. The train is needed in that area. Generally the only way to get around is the automobile in hot, choking traffic. The profound heat combines with auto emissions to create a real toxic brew. Furthermore, frequent storms in the region often makes auto travel very hazardous. Alternatives are necessary.

I dont think Americans realize how big Mexico is, building that train was like connecting several European countries with a train in under 5 years

Much appreciated the transparent take of your video. As a Mexican is hard to find neutral sources. This project has some good things but unfortunately in México we have many fanatics that are swayed by shiny looking things unable to comprehend long term consequences.

Thank you for doing this video. I’ve yet to meet a Mexican that opposes the project completely. Yes there are issues. And there are issues with every project of this scale. The USA can’t even build a public project like this, CA being the perfect example. The reason they had to build it so fast is because there is a chance the project is canceled by a new president. Overall I see the project as bringing much more positive than negative.

Great balanced report. I have been to the Yucatan Peninsula many times-the folks I have met there are some of the friendliest, most hospitable folks anywhere, and for better or worse, much of the area feels safer then your average American shopping mall. Unfortunately, the economy is subject to natural disasters, media reports about how dangerous ALL of Mexico is, and stereotypes, which keep many tourists away.

One issue with "take the time to get it right" is that in Mexico, Presidents really want to have something to show off at the end of the term, and the term is six years with no re-election, so every 6 years there are all kinds of brand new plans that then have to be finished in under 6 years, which makes it hard to plan really big things. It's kind of impressive that they got this built at all.

I flew down there for December 1st but had to come back on the 7th, glad you made it

Better than freeway

Nice video, the station locations especially in Merida will limit the tren Maya’s potential in my opinion

Well balanced. Thanks for the video

Wow! One of the earliest deep Tren Maya reviews. Congrats! First, I must commend you on your Spanish pronunciation, which like your Japanese pronunciation, is very very good. Second, I also must commend you on your research of this very controversial project, it's well done and thorough. Rail service in the Yucatan is a good idea and the first segment is a good one (with serious caveats) since transportation in the area is difficult due to the few roads available. I don't think the southern arm of this rail line through sensitive virgin jungle and biosphere reserves is a good idea at all. Undoubtedly, this train will spur economic development in the tourism sector, the biggest economic engine in the Yucatan peninsula. I'm fairly convinced that the 5 year politically expedited Tren Maya construction may not be safe. You noted the concerns about the stability of the region's porous limestone under which all of the Yucatan's water flows in underground pools and rivers, many not even mapped. This project was exempted from any kind of oversight and handed over to the notoriously corrupt military, with little to no rail experience, for construction by the president. The president has militarized all of his pet infrastructure projects in order to keep them from transparency and accountability. As you mentioned, the train opening was politically motivated before the line is complete and with very little testing. The environmental and archeological damage not only from roughshod construction, but from likely expansive tourist development in virgin rainforest around the stations is likely to be poorly or totally unregulated and environmentally disastrous. The Mexican gov't's oversight capabilities (what little it had) has been seriously degraded under the current president. Mexico has always paid lip service to its indigenous heritage for marketing benefits but I seriously doubt that the region's shunned poor and indigenous will benefit from this train and induced economic development other than to be exploited as underpaid labor as they have always been. Great work!

Great video my friend thanks for sharing. We spent 2 years liviing in the Yucatán and absolutely loved our time spent there. ❤ Cheers from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico. 🇲🇽✌️

I love the fact Mexico is getting new trains built in Britain from 1975 to 1982.

Very cool. I think its unfortunate that the stations are being planned so far out from the centers of these cities, but having a stop right at the airport makes a lot of sense. In playa del carmen it will be similar to merida with the station like 10km out of town.

I think you did a great job! I like to hear an external and critical point of view, because in Mexico you mostly hear about the positive side of the project, but not so much about the negative implications. I agree with what you say, I'm very concerned about the jungle, the archeological sites, the local population, etc., but especially about the animals. Did you spot any wildlife corridors? The environmental destruction makes me really sad, but I hope that in the long run, this train will create more good than bad, and I still want to check it out for myself.

The train are the Best transport, very relax. Greetings from Switzerland. 👍🏼🇨🇭🚄❤️

Very accurate about the pros and cons.

Great video. All I have to say is to be careful how we manage information. Some of the people "concerned" about the environment affected by this project, are doing it for political reasons and not because they actually care for the jungle, and this includes American media. Canadian and American mine companies have destroyed many areas in the region but have never been mentioned. If anything there is a double standard. taking down millions of trees are not necessary synonym of destruction of an ecosystem. This government is by far the most environment friendly government there is. Lopez Obrador created a program called "sembrando vida" aim to reforest the entire country and even invested to bring this program to Guatemala, El Salvador and other central ameracan countries. Just to put things in perspective.

Great video sir.

Thanks for the video. Excellent report!

Railway projects will always be controvertial till they build an 8 lane highway which is very eco friendly with all the cars and congestions

Definitely saddened by all the inappropriate comments you have received. My parents are from a small town south of Merida so this video is close to home. I have gone to Mexico twice now and I’ve seen the construction of the rail line. Just seeing the construction has gotten me hyped up. There definitely is a lack of decent and reliable transit over here so this will be an upgrade and possibly open more doors to new transit infrastructure. Hopefully next summer we get a chance to check it out, but for now glad you had the chance to ride it. Thanks for sharing!

very cool

Excellent work!

Great video, enjoyed it very much

I can see your points of view, but like you said, let's educate ourselves. Learn more about the actual task at hand and not rely on sources that are against this project. If you know, previous presidents promised tons of projects, but really never delivered anything, Lopez Obrador is delivering and maybe thus the rush, but things are getting done and for the development of the country and improvement of the social classes (mostly poor).

I enjoyed that video👍👍

A new fascinating train for us to hopefully ride someday. It seemed like a fun experience and the workers taking photos and videos was cool to see. Your brother did a great job with his footage. BTW, isn't every new train controversial at this point? Brightline West, Brighline Florida, Cal High Speed rail, etc.??

Looks good but all the soldiers don't give me a nice feeling

I think connencting cities like Chetumal, Merida and Campeche along the coast of Yucatan where people actually live makes a lot of sense. But then there is also a line that goes right through the center of the peninsula from Chetumal to Escárcega via Xpujil (an archeological site). And i think that part of train is the biggest mistake, as this region is almost uninhabited and there is just rainforst with the occasional archaeological site. Cutting this huge continous rainforest in two, with a line that seves almost no residents is a huge mistake in my opinion, the amount of environmental damage there is, is in no way proportial to the usefullness of this part of the train.

19:25 I'm concerned about how the tactile paving seems to run into a wall. Result of a rush job?

Wonder why they didn't go for EMUs given it's a brand new route. Seems North America still loves its diesel trains

Great to watch this amazing project! I want to travel in Maya Train! Happy for all people who will live better now...

The fact that the stations are all located outside of the city centers already dooms this project for failure. The whole purpose of taking trains over airplanes is largely due to how convenient and less of a hassle they are. But having to transfer to other inneficient modes of transportation that further delay the travel time to the city centers is ridiculous. This is unlike other systems in the world, like the Japanese shinkansen or the various European systems like Eurostar that take you directly into the city centers. Why even take Tren Maya at this point? Might as well take an airplane. If they can fix this issue and extend the systems into the actual cities, then it would be a major success. As it is now, the system is very flawed.

What is your favorite movie located in Chicago featuring trains? Risky Business?

Episode we’ve been waiting for

Very interesting! I’m getting some Brightline vibes from this train due to the high speed look and modern infrastructure! Not sure if you knew this but Mexico is working with CPKC (and maybe Ferromex) to create more passenger services in the country! They’ve got some interesting pieces of equipment so far (with the coolest being an old British Rail High speed train/Intercity 125) and I hope in the future you have a chance to review that asw!

Gotta stop you at 49 seconds. People are still out partying at 5:45, not because you are in the hotel zone, but because you are in Mexico. The party pauses from 6:30 til noon.

Despite the controversy (and I have watched quite a few other videos highlighting it) I am happy to see Mexico receive the beginnings a modern intercity passenger rail system. What many Americans don't seem to realize is that during the post war period when the private American railroads were allowing its passenger service and stations to fall into decline the State of Mexico was not necessarily giving up and in fact built many beautiful mid century modern stations similar to what you would see in Europe. Sadly the entire state supported passenger rail network was allowed to shut down and remained so for decades. This had become a sore point for many Mexicans so I can most definitely understand the enthusiasm they will feel for new state supported services like Tren Maya. History can be messy to say the least but much of Mexico has been deprived of a proper intercity rail system for too long.

But roads are OK to be built everywhere!? ... Come on. If everyone thought of train travel as something positive. We would have way more train lines than roads. This project is fantastic and the USA should follow!

Wow! I haven't ride this train yet and it looks to be nice and cool, but it also feels the rareness of the people who rides it, hearing the songs they were singing along the trip. It's good to know the way you explain very positive and also very objective about the train and also the culture information, and what I heard by the news it's been very very controversial because most of the nature was damaged with unreversible solutions. I am a train lover too, but for sure there are a lot of better ways to do and plan big projects like this. I am not Mexican but I know president Lopez Obrador it's more about politics than People. Thanks for sharing.

Great video, you are undeniably right about every single topic you talk about during your video. Keep up the great work.