CETRAM Zapata opened again after almost two years of inactivity

The CETRAM Zapata opened again after almost two years (Photo: Google Maps)

After being closed for almost two years, the Zapata Modal Transfer Center (CETRAM) was re-enabled to house the concessioned public transport bus base. Andrés Lajous Loaeza, Secretary of Mobility of Mexico City, announced it within the framework of the Support strategy of the Integrated Mobility Network (MI) for the suspension of lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Metro.

“Today the CETRAM Zapata has resumed operations. As you know, the CETRAM Zapata had some damage to the building, which can be seen above the CETRAM, in the 2017 earthquake, ”Lajous Loaeza reported.

During the conference on the progress in the restoration of service in the Collective Transportation System (STC), the secretary affirmed that thanks to the repair of a large part of the CETRAM buses whose main routes direct them to Iztapalapa and the south of Mexico City can operate normally in the area assigned to the interior of the building.

Thus, the relocation of the vehicles that had their provisional base outside the construction was achieved, along Universidad Avenue. With action, lhe road was free of the stops of the concessioned public transport service, although the buses of the Passenger Transport Network (RTP) will continue to carry passengers up and down outside the CETRAM.

Andrés Lajous, Secretary of Mobility, reported on the progress in the support program for the CDMX Integrated Mobility network (Photo: Screenshot)

Despite the reuse of the Transfer Center, the rehabilitation project has not been completed. In fact, it consists of two phases and the Secretary of Mobility attributed the progress to the conclusion of the first part of the program.

Similarly, during the press conference, Lajous Loaeza reported a 50% increase in trips registered at ECOBICI stations near Lines 1, 2 and 3. In addition, 1,461 people have registered for the acquisition of the membership that grants 6 months of service for 120 pesos.

CETRAM closure in 2019

The CETRAM Zapata It continued to operate for 20 months after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Mexico City on September 19, 2017.. It was not until May 25, 2019 that Andrés Lajous Loaeza notified about the closure of the Center due to non-compliance with the rules established by the Civil Protection authorities.

Through a communication letterhead by the Ministry of Mobility (SEMOVI) reinforcement and redistribution work announced with the purpose of “continuing to provide a safe and accessible service, both to users and to motor carriers”.

The CETRAM Zapata was closed to compensate for the damage suffered by the structure during the September 2017 earthquake (Photo: Google Maps)

In principle, according to the document, the partial works of the first phase were contemplated to be carried out in a maximum period of six months. In the same way, a second part was announced in which the rehabilitation would be carried out in the entire construction.

According to the planning, thanks to the first part of the works, the transport units were located, provisionally, along Universidad Avenue to San Lorenzo street, while the RTP trucks were located on the opposite sidewalk. For the second phase it was planned that routes 1, 25 and 112 will be based in Félix Cuevas.

Until before the health emergency due to COVID-19, CETRAM Zapata served nearly 115,000 people daily. Under normal operating conditions, it had a fleet of 308 units. It is also considered one of the most important transport hubs in the southern zone.