World Cup rush highlights Mexico's Monterrey mobility crisis, activists say

As one of Mexico’s host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Monterrey and its metropolitan area in Nuevo Leon are in a frantic rush to overhaul infrastructure. However, activists and residents contend that the multi-million dollar projects are designed for tourists and are exacerbating, rather than solving, a profound mobility crisis that ranks as the top concern for locals.

Green Corridor Billboards Mask Harsh Reality

In Guadalupe, near the BBVA Stadium, billboards advertise a "Green Corridor" for pedestrian mobility. Yet the surrounding streets are plagued by potholes, dangerous crossings, and a glaring lack of infrastructure for cycling or walking. While Governor Samuel Garcia promises "world-class" improvements that will remain after the tournament's 40 days, locals like Angel Mario Ochoa note that basic repairs only began after years of neglect and coincide directly with World Cup preparations.

Rushed Mega-Projects and Environmental Damage

The centerpieces of the overhaul are the new monorail Lines 4 and 6, touted as the continent's largest. Their construction, however, has been marred by rushed processes and environmental harm. Activists from the collective Un Rio en el Rio report that work on Line 4 along the Santa Catarina River began without a required environmental impact assessment, has damaged drainage systems, and involves dumping rubble that threatens the river's biodiversity. "They are bypassing every possible environmental law," says defender Andrea Villarreal.

Addressing the Wrong Audience Amid a Sprawling City

Urban experts point to the core of the crisis: Monterrey is a low-density, sprawling metropolis where only about 1% of the population primarily uses the existing metro, compared to 50% who rely on buses. Despite announcements of thousands of new buses, fleet growth has stagnated. Commute times for bus users now approach three hours daily. Activists argue that investment is misdirected toward flashy, extraordinary projects while ordinary needs—like safe sidewalks, reliable buses, and accessible stops—are ignored. "We want to claim the medal for doing something extraordinary, when we still lack the most ordinary things," says mobility activist Miriam Torres.