Construction of new light rail system is complete

During his campaign for governor, Pablo Lemus publicly pledged to build Line 5 of the light rail system, which would connect Guadalajara with Miguel Hidalgo International Airport, at an estimated cost—at the time—of US$771 million.

Two years later, the first eight Volvo electric buses were unveiled, part of a fleet of 41 electric buses that will replace the unfulfilled promise but will be ready to operate before the World Cup begins.

Officially named “Marco Aeropuerto,” the transit line has been popularly dubbed the “Pablobus” by residents and activists in El Salto and Guadalajara, who were expecting a train and will have to settle for buses.

Amilcar Lopez Zepeda, general director of the Urban Electric Train System, said the buses feature state-of-the-art technology, such as air conditioning, USB ports, video surveillance, and fast-charging systems for their batteries of up to 720 kWh, and that the “Pablobus” route is divided into nine stops along the road to Chapala to connect the airport terminal with the Periferico.