With more than 15 years operating in Mexico, Spain’s COMSA has secured €35 million in contracts to modernize Mexico City’s Tasqueña Light Rail terminal and advance the refurbishment of Metro Line 1 as the capital prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The projects include constructing a new platform, upgrading tracks and catenary systems, improving accessibility, and supporting multimodal connections.
The contracts cover three projects: rehabilitation of Metro Line 1, maintenance for Metro Lines A and 12, and modernization of the Tasqueña Light Rail terminal. Authorities expect the works to improve passenger flow at transfer hubs and expand capacity ahead of the tournament, when Mexico will host multiple matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
At Tasqueña, COMSA will build an additional platform, refurbish pedestrian infrastructure, and update lighting systems. The company said the works are designed to improve accessibility in the adjacent Modal Transfer Center (CETRAM) Tasqueña, which links the light rail to other transport modes. The light rail line, which runs to Estadio Azteca, is expected to play a central role during the World Cup.
In addition to terminal upgrades, COMSA is responsible for integral maintenance on Metro Lines A and 12. The firm is also continuing with rehabilitation on Metro Line 1, one of the city’s busiest corridors. Testing is already underway on the Chapultepec–Observatorio section, where infrastructure works have been completed, and further tasks include improvements at the Zaragoza workshops and full-line maintenance.
Station Expansion and Passenger Demand
The Tasqueña Light Rail station is undergoing a redesign utilizing the “Barcelona solution,” featuring side platforms for alighting passengers and a central island platform for boarding. The layout is designed to accommodate higher passenger volumes and streamline the flow for fans traveling to matches at Estadio Azteca.
Mexico City officials have also announced plans to introduce 17 new light rail trains, raising the system’s capacity to about 400,000 passengers per day. Authorities said the new units, together with the station upgrades, will help meet anticipated demand during the tournament. Complementary measures include remodeling of the CETRAM Huipulco transfer center and the construction of a 36 km bicycle route along Calzada de Tlalpan with additional bike parking at Tasqueña and Ciudad Universitaria.
Background and National Rail Plans
The Metro Line 1 modernization began in 2022, with phased closures of stations along the route. Several stations, including Cuauhtémoc, Insurgentes, Sevilla, and Chapultepec, reopened in April 2025 after extensive renovation. Other stations, including Observatorio, remain under reconstruction as part of a project to integrate the terminal with Line 12 and the El Insurgente commuter rail line.
Mexico’s federal government is also pursuing broader passenger rail expansion. Officials have announced plans to complete 13 new passenger train routes, covering more than 3,000 km by 2030. Current priorities include advancing the Mexico City–Querétaro and AIFA–Pachuca lines, which are expected to strengthen connectivity for both domestic travelers and international visitors during and after the World Cup.
COMSA said the Mexico City contracts reinforce its position in the Latin American market and support the city’s mobility strategy. “COMSA reinforces its presence in Mexico with three new railway projects,” the company said in a statement.
While many upgrades are progressing, timelines remain tight. Some sections of Metro Line 1 still require testing and systems integration before reopening. Delays at key hubs such as Observatorio or Tasqueña could affect operational readiness, though officials continue to project completion before the World Cup kickoff in June 2026.
Mexico City is investing heavily in transport infrastructure to manage the expected influx of international visitors. The rail projects, combined with new trains, improved transfer centers, and expanded cycling routes, form a central part of preparations to ensure mobility during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
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