Expert Calls for Public Transport Reinforcement to Combat CDMX Traffic Congestion
Mexico City, July 10 – Traffic congestion in Mexico City is set to escalate unless public transport is reinforced to counter the uncontrolled growth of private vehicles, warns Miriam Téllez, a specialist from the Mexican Academic Network for Public Transport.
Téllez, also a professor at the Autonomous University of Mexico City, stated in an interview that the use of individual vehicles has been favored over public transport. Currently, in the metropolitan area of the Valley of Mexico, there is one private car for every 2.51 inhabitants. In stark contrast, public transport offers only one unit for every 357 inhabitants.
Policy Implementation Gaps and Deterioration of Services
The core of the problem, Téllez explained, lies in the fact that public policies, while well-documented, do not translate into increased availability of public transport units or improved service quality in reality. This issue is evident in the Metro system, where despite maintenance programs and “apparent improvements,” deterioration persists across various lines, and fewer trains are operating.
“We see it palpably in the level of demand during peak hours,” she added, highlighting the daily struggles faced by commuters.
Strengthening Quality: The Path Forward
To reverse this trend, Téllez emphasized the critical need to expand the fleet of passenger public transport, enhance service quality, and improve the integration among different mobility systems. She cautioned that “there will be no way to reduce congestion if the service is not decisively optimized.”
Téllez further explained that traffic congestion is seasonal, exhibiting varied patterns throughout the year. “There are periods when we have a greater number of vehicles circulating, there are many variations in traffic, a very peculiar dynamic, hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly. It even changes from one year to the next, so the traffic recorded today is not the same as in 2025, nor will it be the same as in 2027.”
Looking ahead, Téllez suggested that future planning processes could incorporate strategies focused on developing urban centers that bring services closer to the population, thereby potentially reducing the need for extensive travel.
Context: A City Grappling with Mobility Challenges
The expert’s remarks come amidst ongoing challenges in Mexico City’s urban mobility landscape. The city frequently experiences significant traffic delays due to various factors, including daily protests, ongoing infrastructure projects, and a continuously expanding private vehicle fleet. The preference for individual transport over public options has long been identified as a major contributor to the city’s chronic congestion.
The disparity in the ratio of private cars to public transport units underscores a systemic issue that impacts the daily lives of millions of residents. While efforts have been made to improve public transport infrastructure, the pace of these improvements often struggles to keep up with the rapid increase in vehicle ownership and urban population growth.
The Urgency of Integrated Solutions
The call to action from Miriam Téllez highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to urban planning and transport policy in Mexico City. Simply adding more roads or managing traffic flow in isolation will not suffice. Instead, a fundamental shift towards prioritizing and investing in a robust, efficient, and accessible public transport system is essential.
This includes not only increasing the number of units but also ensuring their reliability, comfort, and safety. Furthermore, improving the connectivity between different modes of transport – such as the Metro, Metrobús, and local bus services – is crucial to create a seamless travel experience that can genuinely compete with the convenience of private vehicles.
Ultimately, the long-term sustainability and liveability of Mexico City depend on its ability to effectively manage its mobility challenges. Reinforcing public transport is not merely an option but a critical imperative for the city’s future.
