Mexicable Cable Car

In Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico City’s roughest and most populated suburb, most residents travel to work in the inner city. Navigating the notoriously congested traffic on the main road through the favela-like neighborhood takes at least an hour. But now there’s another option. Today, nearly 30,000 commuters every day soar above the rooftops of the one of the busiest areas of Mexico.

In 2016 Mexico launched its first public cable car service, the Mexicable, a suspended urban gondola. As you swiftly drift in one of the Mexicable’s colorful cabins (which can hold around 10 people each) a 3-mile journey through the ropeway’s seven stations can take as little 17 minutes and costs just 6 pesos, around 30 cents.

This novelty has also brought more security to the crime-riddled community. The colorful houses dotting the metropolitan area are now covered in fascinating street art created by famous local and international artists thanks to the Mexicable project. Many of the murals are painted on the rooftops, enlivening the already exciting omnipresent view passengers get from the cable car. 

The government’s investment of more than 1,500 million pesos into the public infrastructure project also contributes to the constant battle with pollution in large cities, as the gondola line uses solar energy to operate. This is the first cable car in Mexico to serve as public transportation and follows the example of other heavily populated Latin American cities like Medellin and Rio de Janeiro. 

Please be aware that Ecatepec is not located in Mexico City but in a municipality near to. Ecatepec is known for being not only dangerous even for locals, but specially for women since it has one of the highest femicide rates in the country.