Mexico to restart bids for bullet train after claim it awarded contract to China too hastily. When built train will assist migrants as they 'head north' to the US-AFP

When built will provide much needed train service for illegal alien transit to the US:

11/7/14, "Mexico cancels Chinese bullet train deal," AFP via Bangkok Post

"The project aims to carry 23,000 passengers per day at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, reducing the commute between Mexico City and Queretaro from two-and-a-half hours to 58 minutes.

Mexico would become the first Latin American nation to have a bullet train after Brazil and Argentina postponed their own high-speed rail projects.

While Mexico has freight railways, the country now only boasts some tourist trains after regular passenger lines disappeared following the sector's privatization in the 1990s.

Mexican and Central American migrants have illegally hitched rides on top of a cargo train dubbed La Bestia (The Beast)

to head north to the United States, 

a risky trip that has killed or maimed many passengers."...

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11/7/14, "Mexico cancels China contract for high-speed train line," BBC

"Mexico has abruptly cancelled a $3.75bn (£2.3bn) contract awarded on Monday for a Chinese-led consortium to build a high-speed passenger rail link.

President Enrique Pena Nieto said he wanted to avoid "any doubts about the legitimacy and transparency" of the bidding process.

Mexico has forged closer links with China, while Mr Nieto is going to Beijing on a state visit next week.

The tender for the 130-mile rail link is being re-opened.

Mexico's communications and transport ministry said the new auction would start from mid-November and be open for about six months.

The contract was scrapped after lawmakers accused the government of favouring China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC).

Rival bids by Germany's Siemens, Canada's Bombardier and France's Alsthom were considered. 

According to reports, the three had asked for more time to prepare their submissions, but the requests were denied. Japan's Mitsubishi also expressed an interest.

But only CRCC and its Mexican partners had submitted a bid proposal by the 15 October deadline for the link 

between Mexico City and Queretaro.

It is possible that CRCC could be eligible for compensation because its contract has been withdrawn, government officials admitted.

Construction of the rail line, part of the government's plan to bolster the economy, was due to start in December, with services running from 2017.

Mexico would become the first Latin American nation to have a bullet train after Brazil and Argentina postponed their own high-speed rail projects.

"The president wants this project which is so important for Mexico to not be questioned, to have absolute clarity," Transportation Minister Gerardo Ruiz Esparza said. 

"We expect more participation from train makers in the new tender," he said, adding that CRCC could still take part."


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 "From other news sites

• Reuters UK UPDATE 6-Mexico scraps $3.75 bln China rail deal ahead of state visit 53 mins ago

• Financial Times* Mexico cancels China-led rail contract 2 hrs ago

• South China Morning Post* Mexico derails Chinese bullet train deal days after contract agreed 6 hrs ago

• Yahoo! Finance Mexico scraps $3.75 bln China rail deal ahead of state visit 9 hrs ago

• Bangkok Post Mexico cancels Chinese bullet train deal 13 hrs ago"

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