Mexicans Jamming Trains After Air Fares Nearly Double
After air fares almost doubled in price because of inflation, Mexicans by the million have been taking the train to their favorite tourist spots to spend Christmas and the New Year.
As a result, the government’s National Railways monopoly reports train reservations have been booked solid through Jan. 4 between Mexico City and points on the Gulf Coast, the Pacific Coast beaches and northern and central points such as Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla.
Train travel is between 20% and 40% cheaper on an average than airplanes, which Mexicans cannot afford due to an economic crisis that has spurred 140% annual inflation and cut the purchasing power of salaries by half.
A National Railways statement reported the nation’s trains have been carrying an average of 2 million passengers daily during the week preceding Christmas, and has reservations booked for another 1.5 million daily through New Year’s Day.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
