Politics
Mexico City's Law of Mobility and Road Safety and Daily Travel for Residents
The May 2022 law prioritizes non-motorized transport users while the Strategic Mobility Plan supports integrated fares through the Tarjeta de Movilidad, shaping how Mexico City residents reach jobs and local services.
How we reported this
The Law of Mobility and Road Safety, passed in May 2022, establishes a hierarchy that places non-motorized transport users first in planning decisions. This rule applies to road space allocation and safety measures across the city, directly shaping pedestrian and cyclist access to workplaces, markets, and community facilities for Mexico City residents.
The city's Strategic Mobility Plan from 2019 complements the law by directing efforts to redistribute road space toward sustainable modes. It also seeks to connect all public transport systems through the Tarjeta de Movilidad integrated fare card, allowing residents to transfer between modes without separate payments when traveling for employment or essential services.
Network Upgrades and Service Changes
Mexico City is carrying out modernization through UNOPS on segments of the network that are 50 years old. The work includes procurement of new metro trains and 118 new buses, with the goal of increasing overall capacity by one million daily passengers. Residents who depend on these routes for regular commutes to jobs or local institutions will encounter changes in service frequency and vehicle availability as the upgrades proceed.
The city targets full electrification of its bus fleet by 2035. As of 2024, more than 500 electric buses, or 5 percent of the fleet, operate on the 140 km Metrobús bus rapid transit system. These vehicles run on corridors used by residents for daily travel between residential areas and employment centers.
Budget Allocation and Future Phases
Between 2019 and 2022, approximately MX$110 billion, or $5.5 billion, was allocated to transport infrastructure projects and maintenance. This funding supported the ongoing modernization and integration efforts described in the policy documents.
Subsequent stages of the plans are expected to continue the focus on sustainable modes and fleet electrification. Residents can anticipate further adjustments to routes and fares as these phases advance, based on the framework set out in the Law of Mobility and Road Safety and the Strategic Mobility Plan.