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March 26, 2026|Passenger

Siemens Mobility, Sonda Win ETCS Signaling Project in Mexico

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Siemens Mobility, in consortium with Sonda México SA de CV, announced March 26 that it has been awarded a contract to deliver the advanced signaling and rail infrastructure technology solution European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1 for the Mexico City–Querétaro–Irapuato railway corridor.

Spanning more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) and serving 11 passenger stations, the project is part of Mexico’s federal initiative to modernize passenger rail infrastructure.

This milestone, the company says, “reflects Siemens Mobility’s continued success in Latin America and marks its first ETCS contract in Mexico.” Siemens Mobility’s scope also includes the delivery of its TPS.plan software, a “powerful” train planning system that optimizes timetables and rail operations, alongside ETCS Level 1 wayside signaling, an Operational Control Center and backup, as well as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Consortium partner Sonda will provide telecommunications, CCTV, and civil works.

“This contract marks a significant milestone for Siemens Mobility, as it represents our first ETCS project in Mexico and the debut of our TPS.plan train planning software in Latin America,” said Siemens Mobility CEO Rail Infrastructure Marc Ludwig. “This project underscores our commitment to enhancing mobility and connectivity across the country. The Mexico City–Querétaro–Irapuato corridor will not only improve regional transport but will also support Mexico’s sustainable development goals by modernizing its passenger rail infrastructure. We are proud to contribute to shaping the future of rail transport in Mexico.”

Siemens Mobility’s scope in this project includes the design, engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of state-of-the-art rail technologies. Central to this are the ETCS Level 1 wayside signaling system, an Operational Control Center (OCC) with a backup OCC, and SCADA systems for real-time infrastructure supervision.

ETCS, Siemens Mobility notes, “is a standardized signaling and control system that enhances rail safety by continuously supervising train speed and movement authority. It replaces fragmented national systems with a common standard.”

Additionally, Siemens Mobility will, for the first time in Latin America, implement TPS.plan, a “cutting-edge software solution” developed by its subsidiary HaCon. This application, the company says, “enables precise timetable and track path optimization by leveraging microscopic infrastructure modeling to create conflict-free schedules.” TPS.plan also simplifies coordination by granting stakeholders full access to the most up-to-date planning status, “ensuring efficient and seamless rail operations.”

The project, Siemens Mobility says, marks a key milestone in Mexico’s rail modernization, “significantly enhancing mobility for workers, students, and commuters in the Bajío region.” By connecting the capital with the states of Hidalgo, Querétaro, and Guanajuato, “the line strengthens regional connectivity to Mexico City, boosts economic competitiveness, and aligns with federal goals for sustainable passenger rail.” With innovative technologies and by taking a leading role early on, Siemens Mobility says it establishes itself as “a trusted partner to shape industry standards while driving efficiency, improving connectivity, and fostering long-term development.”