CPKC reviewing Mexico's draft decree on passenger rail

Canadian Pacific Kansas City today responded to the Mexican government’s draft decree concerning potential passenger-rail service operating on certain existing freight-rail corridors.

The Class I is reviewing the draft and "remains directly engaged with the Mexican federal government" on the matter, CPKC officials said in a prepared statement.

"CPKC de Mexico has previously reached an agreement with the Mexican federal government to perform a study of what is required for the proposed new passenger-rail service on the right of way of the corridor between Mexico City and Queretaro," they said.

Expected to go into effect Nov. 20, the decree also identifies the San Luis Potosi-Monterrey-Laredo corridor for proposed passenger-rail service.

"As required by our concession, CPKC de Mexico will work closely with the Mexican federal government to evaluate passenger service on that corridor," CPKC officials said.

"The draft decree emphasizes that freight-rail service will be respected and, as such, we do not expect an adverse impact on our concession," they added. "CPKC has extensive experience hosting passenger-rail services in multiple locations across its network in the United States and Canada while efficiently managing freight service."

At a Nov. 9 press conference, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that he plans to issue the decree that will call on freight railroads to allow their tracks to be used by passenger trains.