Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada launched a new public transport route called "Las Ardillas" to connect underserved peripheral neighborhoods [1].
The initiative targets families in outlying districts who spend significant portions of their income and time on daily commutes. By linking forgotten areas to the broader city network, the administration aims to provide a viable alternative to existing transport options in these regions [1].
Focusing on peripheral districts such as Xochimilco, the new route is designed to improve accessibility for residents who have historically lacked efficient transit [2]. The city administration said the new system could reduce travel time by up to 30 minutes per day [1].
To support the broader expansion of the transport network, the city has allocated 2 billion Mexican pesos [1]. This investment is intended to broaden the system's reach and ensure that the peripheral areas are no longer isolated from the city center [1].
Brugada said the goal is to address the specific transport needs of residents in these underserved areas [2]. The "Las Ardillas" route serves as a primary component of a larger strategy to decentralize transit access, and reduce the financial burden on low-income families who rely on multiple transfers to reach their destinations [1].
City officials said the route will help bridge the gap between the outskirts and the urban core—providing faster access to employment and services [2].
“The new route is designed to improve accessibility for residents who have historically lacked efficient transit.”
The launch of 'Las Ardillas' represents a shift toward 'peripheral urbanism,' where the city government prioritizes the outermost edges of the metropolis rather than the central business districts. By investing 2 billion pesos into these routes, Mexico City is attempting to reduce the socio-economic divide created by transit deserts, which often trap residents of districts like Xochimilco in cycles of poverty due to the high cost and time of commuting.
