Mass Transit
The most important thing a major city region can do for it’s citizens is create a well connected transit system. Within Mexico, the most evident effort of connected transit systems: are the systems of the Mexico City Metro, and the Tren Ligero. The two systems do not operate as one single entity, they do participate under one common goal of serving the greater metropolitan area of Mexico City.
Typical Mexico City Metro Station walk way
Un Viaje
Mexico City Metro ticket allows one entry into the system for 2 pesos about 20 cents.
Mass Transit at the Border Region
Mass transit momentum has been around quite a while on the United States side of the border, with the Blue Line Trolley allowing someone to take mass transit to the border at San Ysidro Station. While on the Mexican side of the border, citizens mostly rely on taxi’s, taxis vans, and bus service. Although the Tijuana options are affordable, they are the automobile version with limitations due in part because they move with the rest of traffic on already crowded streets and highways.
But that may all be about to change…
Our fellow Tijuana blogger: The Real Tijuana Blog, has exciting news about the future a mass transit on the Mexican side of the border. It seems the system will bring Tijuana in line with the transit efforts found on the United States side of the border.
One interesting quote I’ve read while researching the Mexico City Metro website is:
It reads: “Los programas sociales promovidos en nuestra página, cumplen con el artículo 38 de la Ley de Desarrollo Social del Distrito Federal que a la letra dice: “Este programa es de carácter público, no es patrocinado por partido político alguno y sus recursos provienen de los impuestos que pagan todos los contribuyentes. Está prohibido el uso de este programa con fines políticos, electorales, de lucro y otros distintos a los establecidos. Quien haga uso indebido de los recursos de este programa en el Distrito Federal, será sancionado de acuerdo con la ley aplicable y ante la autoridad competente”
- My English translation:
“The social programs found on our website, adhere to Article 38 of the Law of Development of Social Programs for the Federal District (Mexico City) which states: This program carries a public character, it is not sponsored by any politico party, its subsidies comes from the taxes of all. It is prohibited to use this program for political or electoral gain. Anyone found in unlawful use of this program or its resources within the Federal District (Mexico City), shall be sanction and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.
My only observation
I can’t wait for this rail line to open. The simple fact that the region is at the cusp of breaking into and creating a true mass transit system on both sides of the border speaks volumes to efforts on both sides of the border. May the system be as it is intended to be with the possibility of serving the greatest number of patrons.
Hopefully, the two sides can achieve similar outcomes as what is found in Mexico City. Create a mass transit system that takes into account, and is true to the uniqueness of the Border region. “De todos – para todos”.
Filed in Baja,Border Region,Day Trips,Mexico One Response so far
The Real Tijuana on 11 Dec 2009 at 12:21 am #
The folks at City Hall were pretty clear on several points.
First, these will not be rail lines even though the tranvías will be guided by a rail. As such, we should refer to them as tranvías (tramways).
Also, that the SMTM will be superior to the mass transit on the other side of the border in terms of consumer price, efficiency, and environmental impact. The federal government, regardless of who’s in power, intends to subsidize about half of the cost of the system.
Also, the SMTM does not appear to have any linkage with the mass transit of San Diego County. The border is where one ends and the other begins. For the passengers, however, the transition is meant to be as seamless as possible.
Comparing the SMTM to Mexico City might prove disappointing: Tijuana is a municipio that depends on the state of Baja California while Mexico City is the most sovereign entity in the country. Nonetheless, our SMTM will be modeled on the mass-transit system of Mexico City to the extent that it is able.
The Real Tijuana concurs with My Brisas that this is very exciting news. Eventually we will all be able to travel the entire city for what we pay for a single bus ride nowadays.