How Will Mobility in Jalisco Change with Light Rail Line 4?

The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area in Jalisco is entering a new phase in its mass transit system with the commencement of operations for Light Rail Line 4 (L4), a strategic infrastructure project that entailed a public investment of 9.5 billion pesos and nearly three years of construction. The new line will begin operations this Monday, December 15, at 1:00 PM, offering free service until December 31, as part of a strategy for gradual user integration into the system.

Direct Connection Between Tlajomulco and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco

Line 4 was designed to integrate the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga —one of the fastest-growing in terms of population in Jalisco— with the rest of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG) mass transit network.

• Length: 21 kilometers
• Stations: 9
• Total Travel Time: 38 minutes
• Initial Frequency: every 9 minutes
• Capacity per train: 300 passengers According to official estimates, the system is projected to mobilize between 106,000 and 116,000 daily users, establishing it as one of the corridors with the most significant social and economic impact in the state.

Up to 60% Time Savings for Users in Jalisco

The Director of the Urban Electric Train System (SITEUR), Amílcar López, stated that the primary benefit of L4 will be the significant time savings compared to other transportation alternatives. “It will take 30 minutes to reach the Jalisco 200 Años station and 38 minutes to reach Las Juntas,” he explained. This saving directly impacts labor productivity, quality of life, and the reduction of commuting costs for thousands of workers who travel daily to the southern AMG.

Line 4 Route and Stations

The route begins in San Pedro Tlaquepaque and concludes in downtown Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, with the following stations:

• Las Juntas – Connection with Macro Calzada
• Acueducto – Cerro del Cuatro Area
• Jalisco 200 Años – Link with Macro Periférico
• Real del Valle – Adolf B. Horn Industrial Zone
• Concepción del Valle – Tlaquepaque–Tlajomulco Border
• El Cuervo – Strategic Road Node
• Lomas del Sur
• CUTlajo – Tlajomulco University Center
• Tlajomulco Centro – Adjacent to UdeG Regional Preparatory School According to the State Government, more than 275,000 people reside along the alignment, and the area concentrates commercial establishments, warehouses, and industrial buildings, which positions L4 as a key axis for regional economic development.

First Railway Line on Freight Right-of-Way in Jalisco

Line 4 is the first passenger transport route in Mexico to operate on a freight train’s right-of-way, which required technical adaptations, special supervision of crossings, and a mixed operational model.

• Initially, five at-grade street crossings will be supervised.
• Subsequently, they will be equipped with automatic barriers.
• There will be safe crossings with alarms and traffic lights.

Feeder Routes: Key for Territorial Coverage in Jalisco

To ensure accessibility, the operational launch includes a system of five feeder routes, which will operate with 16 units and

in Tlajomulco with the main L4 stations. These routes will allow for the consolidation of projected demand and facilitate the use of the train as a backbone of mobility, reducing reliance on informal transportation or long bus commutes.

Economic and Urban Impact in Jalisco

In addition to improving mobility, the project encompasses:

• Rehabilitation of urban environments
• Construction of overpasses/underpasses (grade separations)
• Enhancement of road safety
• Revaluation of residential and industrial zones L4 is integrated as a strategic asset to attract investment, enhance logistics competitiveness, and reduce access inequalities in the southern AMG.

A Key Project for the Metropolitan Future

The inauguration of Line 4, led by Governor Pablo Lemus, marks a turning point in public transportation planning in Jalisco. Its impact is not limited to mobility but directly influences economic development, urban planning, and the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people. The entry

first appeared in Líder Empresarial.