The French Ambassador in Mexico, Anne Grillo, said that among the companies arriving in Yucatan with the intention of strengthening the economic and development link between this state and the Gallic nation, are at least two that would enter the field of public transport service.
“Among those interested in collaborating with Yucatan are some that specialize in mobility and urban planning, including the tram and the train, among other concepts that require not only the service itself, but comprehensive planning for the cities where they are installed,” said the diplomat.
Of 14 listed companies already established in Yucatan are JC Decaux and EGIS, whose business includes the development of urban mobility.
The announcement comes a day after the meeting with the State Government. Through an official communiqué the arrival of these new companies of European origin to Yucatan was confirmed, two days after the announcement of a reduction in bus fares.
“The companies are already in the state and are beginning their link with the authorities and other sectors too, in the short term, to provide their service,” said Mario Ancona Teigell, Honorary Consul of France in Yucatan.
At a press conference, these details were revealed by the diplomat, who held meetings with officials of the Autonomous University of Yucatan (Uady) , the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav) and the Technological Institute of Petroleum and Energy (ITPE).
The 14 companies are also linked to areas of scientific research, education and sustainable development, among other areas.
These developments come amid escalating complaints due to the bad conditions of urban transport and the high costs for Yucatecans that this represents.
The exchange opened the door for international companies to enter as transport service providers and redesign urban mobility for the entity, since among the aforementioned companies in question, at least two specialize in this service.
In recent days, the local government withdrew 593 taxi concessions and another six for urban transport. Also, last week came the announcement of the reduction in the price of urban transport fares, which will be effective Feb. 16.
It was highlighted that in Merida there is a registry of at least 300 French people living in the city and that there is a strong tendency for French people to change their residence from Mexico City or Monterrey to Yucatan due to factors, such as the the security that is registered in the area. There is even a scientific community with more than 15 years in the locality.
In addition to that in the region, the airport of Cancun, in the neighboring state of Quintana Roo, receives an average of 200 thousand French tourists a year, of which many come to Yucatan.
The register of students from the country of the European Union (EU), is also the one that shows the highest growth over other states of Mexico. Currently 70 exchange students reside here, which represents a great attraction for young people in that European country. France is the third academic exchange option for Mexican students, after the United States and Spain.
Text: Iván Duarte
Photos: Iván Duarte / Courtesy
