Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has launched an intermodal service offering the first truck-competitive, single-line rail service option between the Midwest and Mexico.
As the only dedicated intermodal trains operating daily between the US Midwest and Mexico, the the Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) Series provides the fastest transit times in the rail industry with greater reach to more markets, according to CPKC.
The MMX Series debuted 11 May with trains MMX-180 and MMX-181 which now link Chicago, Kansas City, Texas markets, Monterrey and San Luis Potosi.
The trains offer third-day service to and from Laredo, fourth-day service to and from Monterrey, and 4.5-day service to and from San Luis Potosi.
MMX provides a total transit time of 98 hours from Chicago to San Luis Potosi, a day faster than the nearest competitor, CPKC reported.
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The company anticipates that a diverse group of shippers, moving a variety of products, will utilise this new service. CPKC is hopeful that the service’s single-line haul efficiencies, combined with crossborder service, will make its intermodal transit times competitive with over the road trucks.
Converting trucks to rail also reduces emissions and makes highways safer, according to CPKC.
“The Mexico Midwest Express offers truly best-in-class service and represents the growth potential of providing truck-competitive service and reliable rail transportation options for shippers with the newly combined CPKC,” said CPKC President and CEO, Keith Creel.
“This is a game changer for this essential north-south trade corridor. Customers already are signing up for these new options as we compete hard to grow our business,” Creel added.
On 14 December 2021, CP finalised its acquisition of KCS for a sum of $31 billion. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board then approved the acquisition in March 2023, marking the final step in creating the new railway network.
This launch comes less than a month after CN, Union Pacific Railroad, and GMXT announced the launch of the Falcon Premium intermodal service connecting Mexico, the US, and Canada.
