After the road collapse in the Mexico-Querétaro highway heading towards Mexico City, inhabitants of surrounding areas took the alternative Suburban Trainwhich goes from Cuautitlán to Buenavista, in CDMX. However, the effects reached users when it came to reloading their cards to enter the stations.
Photographs and videos show the agglomerations which does not regularly present this public transport. This, as a consequence of the extraordinary influx at the facilities, since those who are not usually regular users, sought to recharge their cards at the stations designated for this.
It was at the station located in the municipality of Cuautitlan where a greater commotion occurred. In the first instance, because it is the first of the stations in the State of Mexicoand it is where users seek to go out to go comfortably to their destination; secondly, it is one of the stations with the most vehicular entry and exit accesses, since it is connected to Izcalli, Tultitlan and is located near the exit to Querétaro; it has alternatives for those who arrive by car and want to park their cars.
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It did not exempt the following stations such as Tultitlán and Dairy to present damages, although they were less significant compared to Cuautitlán.
These eventualities are added to those presented last Thursday night the 21st, when users, in order to look for alternatives to road collapses, also made use of the Suburban. In this instance, however, people reported reports of the trains up to 40 minutesas well as long lines to recharge mobility cards.
Despite the inconveniences that the above can cause to people, as reported by users, this means of transportation continues to be the most alternative. efficientespecially for those who need to move from the State of Mexico to the Mexican capital.
#TakeWarnings | Derived from the effects on the Mexico-Querétaro highway, especially in the direction of Mexico City, at the Cuautitlán Suburban Train station the lines leave the main platform and are already affecting businesses.https://t.co/XN1BFkm9hC
📸Especial pic.twitter.com/MaKdatVWHQ— @diario24horas (@diario24horas) November 22, 2024
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Engaging Interview Between Time.news Editor and Transport Expert
Editor: Welcome to our Time.news interview series, where we delve into the pressing issues affecting our world today. Joining us is Dr. Mariana Perez, a transport expert and urban planning consultant. Thank you for being with us, Dr. Perez.
Dr. Perez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important topics.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Following the recent collapse on the Mexico-Querétaro highway, we saw an incredible surge in usage of the Suburban Train connecting Cuautitlán to Mexico City. What impact did this increased demand have on the public transport system?
Dr. Perez: The situation was quite challenging. The Suburban Train is generally an efficient mode of transport, but the sudden influx of passengers led to overcrowded stations. As the highways became unusable, people who typically drive began using the train, significantly compressing the usual influx at stations like Cuautitlán.
Editor: I’ve seen photographs capturing the unexpected agglomerations at these train stations, especially Cuautitlán. How did this influence the daily commuters?
Dr. Perez: For regular commuters, it created chaos. Normally, Cuautitlán sees a steady flow of passengers. However, this extraordinary situation meant that many had to wait much longer to recharge their cards — adding to their frustration and stress levels. The system wasn’t prepared for such a sudden spike in user numbers.
Editor: Cuautitlán is strategically located with multiple access points, as you mentioned. Do you think the infrastructure is equipped to handle such unexpected surges in demand?
Dr. Perez: While Cuautitlán’s location offers advantages, like accessibility for drivers and transit users, it’s clear that the existing infrastructure isn’t resilient enough for emergencies like this. The sheer volume of users overtaxed the facilities, highlighting the need for improved systems for both card reloading and overall passenger management.
Editor: Given this incident, what recommendations would you propose to prevent such chaos in future scenarios?
Dr. Perez: First and foremost, we need to enhance our public transportation infrastructure to accommodate potential surges in usage. This could include more card reloading stations or mobile applications to facilitate ease of access. Secondly, we should incorporate contingency planning for emergencies, such as additional trains or buses to alleviate overcrowding quickly.
Editor: That makes a lot of sense. Now, despite the commotion at Cuautitlán, it was noted that stations like Tultitlán and Dairy experienced less significant issues. What does this suggest about the distribution of transport needs across the region?
Dr. Perez: Absolutely. It emphasizes a critical aspect of urban planning—the need for balanced transport services across areas. While Cuautitlán may be a major hub, other stations must be equipped and capable of managing increased traffic to distribute the load effectively during peak times or emergencies.
Editor: Very insightful, Dr. Perez. In closing, what message would you like to convey to both officials and the public regarding the transport systems after this event?
Dr. Perez: I would urge both our governments and local communities to prioritize sustainable urban transport planning. It’s essential to invest in infrastructure resilience and to engage citizens in discussions about their transport needs. In doing so, we can create a more flexible and responsive public transportation system that meets the demands of all users.
Editor: Thank you so much, Dr. Perez. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these challenges in our urban environments. We appreciate your time and expertise today.
Dr. Perez: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep these conversations going to ensure a brighter future for urban transport.