The director of the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (Fonatur), Rogelio Jimenez Pons has announced that the bidding rules for the technical projects of The Mayan Train PPP will be published after April 21, 2019. According to him, the objective is to have the Mayan Train project ready in 2023.

The project will be observed and accompanied by scientists and academia. The director of Fonatur has signed the agreement with the coordinator of the Scientific and Technological Consultative Forum so that the researchers contribute to this project with their knowledge. The bids for the project will be accompanied by international organizations such as the United Nations Organization for Project Services. Rogelio Jimenez Pons is stressing that there is a fundamental change in this government and administration which seeks legitimacy in all projects that´s why there will be scientists, academia and international institutions observing the Mayan train project that will give the project legitimacy.

The coordinator of the Scientific and Technological Advisory Forum said that soon the group that integrates science and technology associations will make a series of forums to contribute with serious research to the Mayan Train project.

Fonatur is turning to international companies who have the most experience in the word because Mexico has lost a lot in the railway sector in the last 40 years including many technicians in this field.

The project will consist of 10 tenders, seven road constructions and seven sectors, totaling in almost USD 8 billion of which 10% would be federal funds and 90% would come from the private sector. This year the work should start on the first 4 sectors, where the track already exists, which is half of the total distance of approximately 700 km where is it will be easier to work.

The Mayan train project will span 1,525km in the southeastern region of Mexico. The train will cross five states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas, and Tabasco. It is supposed to transport around three million tourists a year. Freight and passenger trains will also use the new rail network according to the plans of the government. A total of 15 stops are planned: from the beaches in Cancún to the archaeological sites of Palenque and Chichen Itza. Part of the route will use the existing tracks and part will have to be constructed.