Passengers Report New Train Failure Leaves Them Stranded Near Leona Vicario Station
Passengers aboard the Maya Train reported another malfunction that left them stranded near Leona Vicario Station. They finally arrived in Cancún, Quintana Roo, at 2:30 a.m. on July 2, although their scheduled arrival time had been 8:00 p.m. the previous day.
Travelers on the Mérida–Cancún route expressed frustration over an alleged electrical failure that kept them inside the train for more than five hours without air conditioning and with insufficient lighting.
Some passengers criticized the military-operated company Olmeca-Maya-Mexica Airport, Railway, Auxiliary Services and Related Services Group (Gafsacomm), claiming it lacked emergency response protocols and that no contingency plan was implemented to transport passengers by other means.
According to passengers, if such situations occur, the company should have an established procedure to assist travelers, especially considering that children and elderly passengers were on board.
People waiting for arriving passengers at the Cancún station also experienced difficulties, as they received little information about the situation and telephone service was intermittent.
What Happened?
According to passenger accounts, the train stopped just a few kilometers before reaching its destination.
The first train departed from Mérida at approximately 3:20 p.m., but became immobilized near Leona Vicario Station, close to Cancún.
A second train had departed around 2:20 p.m. and, as it approached Cancún, it was redirected in an attempt to tow the disabled train.
However, according to passengers, the operation was unsuccessful, and the second train was eventually sent back.
Meanwhile, passengers aboard the stranded train remained inside the railcars for more than five hours, enduring uncomfortable conditions due to the lack of electricity and air conditioning.
They finally arrived in Cancún at approximately 2:30 a.m., making it more difficult to find transportation to their homes or hotels.
One passenger stated:
“They decided to send the train back. We were told it would tow the other train. We had no electricity, no air conditioning, I was traveling with three elderly people, and we hadn’t eaten anything since 8:40 in the morning.”
Family Members Waited for Hours
Passengers’ relatives also experienced long delays while waiting at the Cancún terminal.
One family member said:
“We’ve been waiting for more than three hours. I’m here waiting for two relatives, and we’ve been here since 8:00 p.m.”
At that time, they did not yet know they would have to wait several more hours before the train finally arrived.
Military-Operated Company Has Not Issued an Official Statement
Although passengers indicated that the disruption was caused by an apparent electrical failure, the military-operated company has not issued an official statement explaining the incident.
Previous Maya Train Incidents
Since its initial inauguration in December 2023, the Maya Train has experienced several reported incidents, including:
- A fire at a fuel storage facility.
- Power failures that left passengers stranded on the Cancún–Palenque route.
- A ballast train derailment that resulted in two injuries.
- The first passenger train derailment in Tixkokob in March 2024.
- A second derailment and collision in Izamal on August 19, 2025.
- According to the National Action Party (PAN), a total of 45 documented failures had been recorded through August 2025.
Passengers’ reports from the July 1–2, 2026 incident on the Mérida–Cancún route add another reported malfunction to that list. Travelers stated they reached their destination more than five hours late and claimed there was no emergency response protocol to assist those affected.
Source: yucatan
