# Mexico-Querétaro rail expansion and labor disputes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-quertaro-passenger-train-development > Updated: 2026-09-30T23:27:00.000Z. Sources: 46. Developments: 6. The Mexico-Querétaro passenger train project remains a focal point of environmental, political, and now labor-related debate. While activists and Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) continue to advocate for the protection of urban trees and green corridors, new concerns regarding worker welfare have emerged. As of late September 2026, the Mexican government has announced a broader initiative to construct 2,400 kilometers of passenger rail lines during the current six-year term, involving an investment of approximately 750,000 million pesos. Within this expansion, the Mexico City–Querétaro route has seen progress increase to 31% completion, with operations projected to begin in 2027. Other regional developments include the Mexico City–Pachuca route (45% complete), the Querétaro–Irapuato segment (22% complete), and the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo route (10% complete). The Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo project involves an investment of 140.4 billion pesos and is expected to serve 30,000 daily users. In late September 2026, Querétaro state deputy Paul Ospital Carrera called for investigations into alleged labor violations on the Mexico-Querétaro project. Workers, primarily from Oaxaca, Hidalgo, and Tamaulipas, have reported grueling conditions, including 12-hour shifts, seven-day work weeks, and sleeping in vehicles. Ospital has requested oversight from both state and federal labor secretariats, expressing doubt that federal authorities would sufficiently investigate contractors managed by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena). He urged that attention be directed toward labor rights rather than political image campaigns. ## Claims - The Mexican government plans to build 2,400 km of passenger rail lines during the current administration. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The total investment for the passenger rail program is estimated at 750,000 million pesos. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Operations for the AIFA-Pachuca and Mexico City-Querétaro routes are expected to start in 2027. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Railway construction projects have generated approximately 60,000 direct jobs to date. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Mexico City-Pachuca train project has reached 45% physical progress. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Mexico City-Querétaro train project has reached 31% physical progress. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Maya Train freight project has reached 67% progress. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The second phase of freight adaptation for the Maya Train, including a multimodal complex in Chetumal, is scheduled to begin in 2027. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Querétaro deputy calls for labor investigation into Mexico-Querétaro Train project Querétaro deputy Paul Ospital Carrera is calling for labor inspections on the Mexico-Querétaro Train project following reports of 12-hour shifts and workers sleeping in vehicles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/quertaro-deputy-calls-for-labor-investigation-into-mexico-quertaro-train-project ### 2026-09-24: Mexico announces 750 billion peso railway infrastructure plan President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a 750 billion peso investment in Mexico's railway network, targeting 2,400 km of new tracks for passenger and freight services. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-announces-750-billion-peso-railway-infrastructure-plan ### 2026-09-22: Mexico to build 2,400 km of passenger rail lines by 2027 Mexico plans to build 2,400 km of passenger rail lines with a 750,000 million peso investment, aiming to start AIFA-Pachuca and CDMX-Querétaro operations by 2027. 31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jujuy-commission-evaluates-historical-flag-for-provincial-heritage-status ### 2026-09-21: Mexico-Querétaro train projects highlighted by President Sheinbaum President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted major infrastructure projects in the State of Mexico, including the Mexico-Querétaro train, with construction on the La Corregidora station slated for early 2027. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-quertaro-train-projects-highlighted-by-president-sheinbaum ### 2026-09-18: Querétaro infrastructure: New rail and highway projects announced President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the Mexico City–Querétaro passenger train is expected to be ready by late 2027, alongside major highway expansions and industrial connectivity projects in Querétaro. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-infrastructure-claudia-sheinbaum-targets-2027-for-quertaro-train ### 2026-09-17: Mexico-Querétaro Train project sparks environmental and political debate Citizens and politicians are seeking environmental protections for trees along the Mexico-Querétaro train route, with calls to declare certain Querétaro sectors as natural heritage. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-quertaro-train-project-sparks-environmental-and-political-debate --- Cite as: Mexico-Querétaro rail expansion and labor disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexico-quertaro-passenger-train-development