Tour guides in Chichén Itzá described the federal project of the Maya Train as “a failure” because the train station in the archaeological zone has not seen an increase in visitors as expected.
The Mayan Train station in Chichén Itzá began operating about a month ago and since then a bus has been available to transport tourists.
However, the guides mentioned that only less than 30 passengers a day arrive at the archaeological zone’s bus stop in the transport vehicle, which would mean that the project is not having the results that were expected.
It is estimated that about 4,000 tourists enter Chichén Itzá every day, but they arrive by other means of transport such as buses and private vehicles.
At the time, the federal government announced that artisans, tour guides, and other service providers would benefit from the construction of the Visitor Service Center, which includes the train station, as it would increase the number of visitors to the archaeological zone.
According to the plan of the 4T government, by building the new Visitor Service Center (Parador), which includes a Mayan Train station, the number of visitors to the archaeological zone would increase, and all artisans, tour guides, and all those who in some way provide a service to the Mayan town would benefit.
But so far the expected results have not been reflected, as the number of visitors to Chichén Itzá has not increased.
The guides described the federal project as a “failure.” They also do not see any increase in visitors to the Mayan Museum which was inaugurated a few months ago by the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
The new Visitor Center, located on the side of the highway that connects this city with the town of Pisté, is still under construction.
For years, the parking lot at the site has been insufficient and that is why many people leave their vehicles parked on the side of the federal highway and communal lands.
