Federal Railroad Administration

Report to

House and Senate Appropriations Committees

Laredo, TX International Bridge (Photo Credit: FRA)

International Border 

Passenger and Freight Rail Study 

June 2017
Table of Contents

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction................................................................................................................................... 2

Cross-Border Freight and Passenger Rail Between the U.S. and Canada .............................. 2

Freight Rail Background:......................................................................................................... 2

Current Freight Rail Standards and Protocols .................................................................. 4

Current Freight Rail Challenges and Opportunities ......................................................... 5

Passenger Rail Background:.................................................................................................... 5

Current Passenger Rail Standards and Protocols.............................................................. 8

Current Passenger Rail Challenges and Opportunities................................................... 11

Regulatory Cooperation on Rail Between the U.S. and Canada:....................................... 14

Cross-Border Freight and Passenger Rail Between the U.S. and Mexico ............................. 14

Freight Rail Background:....................................................................................................... 14

Current Freight Rail Standards and Protocols ................................................................ 16

Current Freight Rail Challenges and Opportunities ....................................................... 24

Passenger Rail Background:.................................................................................................. 25

Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study – Service-Level Draft Environmental Impact 

Statement.............................................................................................................................. 26

U.S. & Mexican Bridge Approval Processes for Constructing International Bridges.. 28

Regulatory Cooperation on Rail Between the U.S. and Mexico:........................................ 29

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 30

Appendix I: Partial List of Government Sponsored U.S./Canada/Mexico Working Groups

....................................................................................................................................................... 32

Appendix II: List of Acronyms.................................................................................................. 34
1

Executive Summary

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration 

(FRA) conducted an International Border Passenger and Freight Rail Study (Study) in response

to the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee Report No. 114-129.1The report 

encouraged FRA to work with all relevant state and Federal agencies and their Mexican 

counterparts to study what standards and protocols are needed to facilitate a passenger and 

freight rail line between the United States (U.S.) and Mexico, in Texas, and other international 

land crossings.

To develop this Study, FRA identified U.S. government and industry sources from past reports 

and studies on international border rail crossing topics and interviewed government officials 

from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as industry representatives. The Study also involved 

a visit to Laredo, TX, where FRA observed both north and southbound freight train movements 

on the International Bridge in Laredo, which has the most freight rail traffic among the southern 

border rail ports of entry (POEs).

The Study found standards and protocols for freight rail service between Mexico and the U.S., 

and between the U.S. and Canada, vary and depend greatly on factors such as the characteristics 

of individual POEs and operating procedures of freight railroads. Regulations involving 

railroads and railroad safety have grown similar between the U.S. and Canada; this can be 

attributed to the great deal of cooperation between the two countries on regulatory and 

operational matters. Mexico’s federal rail regulations, however, are still in development. 

Therefore, freight railroads operating at the U.S.-Mexico border utilize FRA’s and the 

Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) rules and standards for operation.

While there is currently no passenger rail service between the U.S. and Mexico, the Study found 

there have been past efforts to facilitate a passenger rail line with Mexico—most recently with 

the service-level Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) developed by the Texas Department of 

Transportation (TxDOT), connecting San Antonio to Monterrey, Mexico via Laredo, TX. 

However, the establishment of international passenger rail service between the U.S. and Mexico 

will require further environmental and feasibility studies and strong interest and funding support 

from both countries. Additionally, cooperation between U.S.-Mexico governmental bodies 

would be vital to establishing such a service and ongoing operations. For example, passenger 

rail service between the U.S. and Canada—which consists of four services, three operated by the 

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), and one by the White Pass and Yukon Route 

Railroad (WP&YR)—requires border protection agencies from both countries to coordinate on 

clearance of passengers. The U.S. and Canada signed the Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and 

Air Transport Preclearance Between the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of Canada (LRMA) in 2015, which, once it enters into force will allow for

immigration, customs and agriculture inspections required for entry into either country to occur 

on foreign soil – will reduce congestion and delays at the border and increase efficiency and 

 

1

U.S. House. Committee on Appropriations. Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related 

Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2016, (to Accompany H.R. 2277) Together with Minority Views. (114 H. Rpt. 129).
2

predictability in cross-border travel, tourism and transportation. . Canada is still debating the 

implementing legislation (Bill C-23) necessary for the LRMA to enter into force. 

Cooperative efforts between the U.S. and Mexico are underway. In part due to this Study, FRA 

has begun to collaborate with Mexico’s newly created federal rail regulatory body, Rail 

Transport Regulatory Agency (Agencia Reguladora de Transporte Ferroviario – ARTF),

established in August 2016, to facilitate cooperation on rail safety matters and assist with the 

creation of rail regulatory practices in Mexico. Due to the significant amount of freight rail 

traffic movement along the U.S.-Mexico border, it is extremely important to have cooperation 

among border services agencies including those in Canada, as freight travels via rail from 

Mexico to the U.S. and into Canada.

Cooperative efforts, including sharing of best practices and developing relationships within a 

trilateral structure, would help provide a safer and more efficient environment to improve rail 

operations between the U.S. and Canada, and Mexico. 

Introduction

The Explanatory Statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, directed 

FRA to study what standards and protocols are needed to facilitate a passenger and freight rail 

line between the U.S. and Mexico, in Texas and other international land crossings, and to 

provide the Study’s findings to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees 18 months 

from enactment. 

This report details the Study’s findings and includes information gathered from independent 

research; interviews with railroad companies, government officials, and industry experts; and a 

site visit to freight operations at the international border of Laredo, TX. It provides an overview 

of existing and potential cross-border freight and passenger rail services between the U.S. and 

Canada, and Mexico; protocols and standards that facilitate existing services; current operational 

challenges; and opportunities to help facilitate future growth, efficiency, and safety of passenger 

and freight rail service along both U.S. borders. This report also presents observations and 

strategies that can help further assist the establishment of government relations, policies, and 

practices along U.S. borders to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. 

Cross-Border Freight and Passenger Rail Between the U.S. and Canada

Freight Rail Background:

There are currently 31 rail POEs that connect the U.S. with Canada, and four of these rail border

crossings include passenger routes. Five Class I railroads interchange between the U.S. and 

Canada. This includes two Canadian freight railroads, Canadian National - North America (CN) 

and Canada Pacific Railway (CP); both service the U.S. and reach as far as the U.S. southern 
3

border.2The three U.S. Class I railroads are Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), CSX 

Transportation, Inc. (CSX), and BNSF Railway Company (BNSF). A map of the U.S.-Canada 

POEs is shown in Figure 1 below. 

Figure 1. Map of U.S.-Canada POEs

U.S.-Canada Freight Rail POEs

Table 1 below shows the northern border rail POEs’ annual number of inbound trains and 

corresponding value of commodities in 2015. Port Huron, MI saw the most inbound trains from 

Canada at just over 4,000 trains. Detroit, MI had the highest inbound value of commodities at 

$15.7 billion. The POEs are listed in geographical order from west to east.

Table 1. Annual Inbound Trains and Value of Commodities for U.S./Canada POEs (2015) 3

U.S. City Inbound Trains Value of Inbound 

Commodities (Millions USD)

Skagway, AK 307 N/A

Blaine, WA 2,076 2,278

Sumas, WA 485 19

Danville, WA N/A N/A

Laurier, WA 124 74

Leadpoint, WA 294 599

Eastport, ID 1,389 2,055

Sweet Grass, MT 351 518

Portal, ND 1,910 3,916

 

2 The Surface Transportation Board (STB) defines a Class I railroad as having annual carrier operating revenues of $457,947,575 

or more. This definition was last updated in 2015.

3 BTS data did not have complete information for seven POEs to include: Danville, WA; Noyes, MN; Warroad, MN; Baudette, 

MN; Ranier, MN; East Richford, VT; and North Troy, VT. Skagway, AK is listed as not applicable as there is only passenger rail 

service at that location.

Source: FRA
4

Northgate, ND 7 36

Pembina, ND 1,282 3,050

Noyes, MN N/A N/A

Warroad, MN N/A N/A

Baudette, MN N/A N/A

Ranier, MN N/A N/A

International Falls, MN 3,333 7,839

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 361 437

Port Huron, MI 4,074 14,698

Detroit, MI 2,181 15,700

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY 2,395 7,068

Fort Covington, NY 656 818

Rouses Pt., NY 1,505 2,238

Highgate Springs, VT 334 471

Richford, VT 99 12

East Richford, VT N/A N/A

North Troy, VT N/A N/A

Norton, VT 216 194

Jackman, ME 66 40

Van Buren, ME 567 20

Vanceboro, ME 212 215

Calais, ME 153 1

SOURCE: USDOT, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), based on 

data from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations. 

Current Freight Rail Standards and Protocols

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for conducting the customs, 

immigration, and agriculture inspections of passengers necessary for admission into the United 

States. In the context of freight rail crossings, CBP utilizes the following procedures, among 

others, to secure the border:

 Advanced Targeting – No later than two hours before the train arrives at the border, 

CBP electronically obtains the train’s manifest, which provides information on the train’s 

contents, from the railroad. Using CBP’s Automated Targeting System, CBP officials 

identify rail cars deemed high-risk, for additional inspection. 

 Rail Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (R-VACIS) – Requiring inbound trains to 

pass through R-VACIS, a machine that produces an image of the inside of railcars using 

gamma radiation technology. CBP officers review the scanned images for anomalies that 

may indicate the presence of un-manifested goods and contraband, including threats that 

could pose a risk to national security (see image of R-VACIS equipment below).
5

 Secondary Physical Inspections – Depending on the outcome of the advanced targeting 

and R-VACIS scan, CBP conducts secondary 

physical inspections of rail cars.4 CBP only scans 

freight trains coming into the U.S. CBP does not 

scan trains going into Canada. Although CBP does 

not require POEs to scan northbound trains to 

Canada, individual POEs will occasionally scan 

northbound trains if staffing allows and/or if there 

are security concerns. Canada Border Services 

Agency (CBSA) does not currently use this 

technology for either incoming or outgoing 

movements, citing the low risk they currently assess 

on these movements. CBSA also noted their 

awareness that the U.S. scans train movements from 

Mexico into the U.S., meaning trains moving from 

Mexico to the U.S. to Canada have already been 

scanned by the U.S. at the border with Mexico.

 Example of R-VACIS in Blaine, WA (Photo Credit: GAO)

Current Freight Rail Challenges and Opportunities

Freight rail movement between the U.S. and Canada is increasing and is very important to each 

country’s economy. However, moving this freight, which includes hazardous materials, safely 

and efficiently across the border is a challenge. Fortunately, the U.S. and Canada have similar 

regulatory regimes that address the movement of hazardous materials. Regular communication 

between FRA and Transport Canada (TC) has resulted in a greater level of understanding of each 

other’s rail safety requirements, as well as initiatives underway within each country’s respective 

rail safety departments.

FRA’s discussions with border officials indicate CBP and CBSA already cooperate on protocol 

and processes and have good working relationships. However, continued sharing of best 

practices and process improvements is needed to respond to border challenges as they arise.

Passenger Rail Background:

There are four passenger rail routes that traverse the border between the U.S. and Canada. One 

of the four international passenger rail routes is an excursion train in Skagway, AK operated by 

WP&YR. The route is known as the White Pass Summit Excursion. Amtrak provides the other 

three international passenger rail services between the U.S. and Canada:

 Cascades – service between Portland, OR and Vancouver, British Columbia

 

4

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-274.
6

 Maple Leaf – service between Niagara Falls, NY and Toronto, Ontario

 Adirondack – service between New York City, NY and Montreal, Quebec

Amtrak’s international passenger rail service ridership totaled just over 267,000 in 2016. 

Figure 2 below depicts the overall ridership for each of the international service routes from 

fiscal years 2002-2016.

Figure 2. Amtrak Ridership to/from Canadian Stations, Fiscal Years 2002-2016

Cascades

The Cascades is a joint Oregon and Washington 

state-supported rail service operated by Amtrak, which offers 

service between Eugene, OR and Vancouver, British 

Columbia, Canada. One way, the route covers 346 miles and 

takes approximately 10-11 hours. In fiscal year 2016, 

Amtrak’s Cascades north and southbound ridership reached 

approximately 160,400 passengers.5This is the highest 

ridership count for all three border rail services. Ridership 

from Portland and Seattle to Vancouver both increased 

approximately 18 percent over fiscal year 2015.6

 

5 Amtrak, RRDW.

6 Amtrak, RRDW.

Source: Amtrak, Ridership, and Revenue Data 

Warehouse (RRDW)
7

Cascades Route Map (Image Credit: Amtrak)

Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf is a state-supported rail service operated by Amtrak, which offers service 

between New York City, NY and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. On the Canadian portion of the 

route, before terminating in Toronto, the train stops in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Grimsby, 

Aldershot, and Oakville. The trip from New York City to Toronto is 544 miles and takes 

approximately 12-13 hours. Additionally, the Empire Service runs along the same route up until 

Niagara Falls, NY, where the route terminates. In fiscal year 2016, Amtrak’s Maple Leaf north 

and southbound ridership reached approximately 31,650 passengers.7

Maple Leaf Route Map (Image Credit: Amtrak)

Adirondack

The Adirondack is a state-supported rail service operated by 

Amtrak, which offers service from New York City, NY to 

Montreal, Quebec, Canada. One way, the route covers 381 miles 

and takes approximately 10 hours. In fiscal year 2016, Amtrak’s 

Adirondack north and southbound ridership reached approximately 

74,960 passengers.8

Adirondack Route Map (Image Credit: Amtrak)

 

7 Amtrak, RRDW.

8 Amtrak, RRDW
8

Current Passenger Rail Service Standards and Protocols

WP&YR and Amtrak passenger rail services do not share a specific set of standards and 

protocols at this time due to the uniqueness of each border crossing’s characteristics and 

facilities. Each of the service lines operates differently based on its unique circumstances as it 

approaches the border on either side. The protocols are described below in geographical order 

from west to east.

White Pass Summit Excursion

The White Pass Summit Excursion passenger service, known as the “Scenic Railway of the 

World,” operates 4-5 trains at a time with lead times of less than 10 minutes apart. In 2016, 

172,400 passengers traversed the border, with the majority of those travelers making the 

one-way journey to Fraser, British Columbia.

The border crossing at White Pass is remote and inaccessible except by rail; therefore, there is no 

human presence at the actual border, but border facilities in each country are a short distance 

away. On the U.S. side, passengers enter Canada via the Carcross and Fraser, British Columbia

service by having a CBP officer board the train north of the Shops Facility in Skagway, AK, and 

process the passengers as the train progresses to the Fraser station. If that process has not been 

completed by arrival, cars that have not been cleared are held until the officer is able to get 

through the entire train. If additional procedures for processing passengers are required, the 

officer conducts them in remote areas at the station or, in rare cases, in the border station four 

miles away. 

For the Canadian side of the operation, the train arrives at the Fraser, British Columbia location

and is boarded by CBSA to process the train. Passengers are released by car after the inspectors 

have passed through. Fraser is an intermodal facility with train and bus traffic; thus, roadway 

and rail intersect. 
9

Clockwise: White Pass Service in Canada with U.S. in the background; White Pass Service; White Pass Service at Fraser 

multimodal facility; Flags at border crossing (Photo Credit: FRA and WP&YR)

Cascades

For northbound service to Canada, trains run in a sealed capacity across the border and into an 

enclosed facility in Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. CBSA administers full customs and 

immigration processing. The Cascades service has no scheduled stops between the station in 

Vancouver and the border. As a result of this procedure, the train can travel at 50 mph to the 

next stop without any disturbance. For southbound service to the U.S., CBP conducts 

immigration document pre-inspection in Vancouver’s station. However, CBP conducts customs 

and agriculture inspections over the border in Blaine, WA.

Vancouver’s Pacific Central 

Station is the only rail station in 

North America where Canadian 

and U.S. border security agents 

share the same work space. In 

October 2015, CBP and CBSA 

celebrated 20 years of safe 

operations at the Vancouver 

Station. 

Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station sealed 

facility (Photo Credit: Amtrak)
10

Maple Leaf

Both Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada (VIA) provide the Maple Leaf service. In 1977, the 

Canadian Government established VIA, the country’s first national passenger rail company. For

current service to Canada, the Amtrak train proceeds to the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and then 

moves over the border into the first stop at Niagara Falls, Ontario Station. CBSA boards the 

train, conducts a sweep check, and processes passengers off the train. The VIA crew and 

passengers board and continue through Canada and into Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leaf 

services several stops over the 80-plus miles between the border and the Toronto station. For 

southbound service to the U.S., VIA and Amtrak crews change at Niagara Falls, Ontario Station. 

The train moves over the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and continues on to the existing clearance 

station in Niagara Falls, NY. The train then backs up into a sealed holding area, and CBP 

inspects passengers on board.

Amtrak Maple Leaf at Niagara Falls, Ontario Station (Photo Credit: Rob Archer, www.hankstruckpictures.com)

Adirondack

The northbound service crosses just over the border to a shelter station at Lacolle Route 223 in 

Quebec. CBSA comes on to the train to conduct inspections and uses the café car as a secondary 

inspection point. Scheduled stop time is one hour. 

For southbound service to the U.S., trains cross just over the border to the Rouses Point, NY 

Station, an open-air facility. CBP enters the 

train and conducts the customs, immigration, 

and agricultural inspections necessary for 

admission into the U.S.
11

From Left: Current outdoor location at Lacolle 223, Quebec (Photo Credit: Amtrak); Current outdoor location at Rouses Point, 

NY (Photo Credit: Amtrak)

Provincial and state partners are working to use Montreal Central Station as a joint preclearance 

facility for both CBSA and CBP once the LRMA enters into force. This would replace the 

CBSA facility at Lacolle and CBP operations at Rouses Point. The Adirondack currently 

services one stop at St. Lambert, Quebec that would be eliminated to provide non-stop service 

between Montreal and the New York State border once the LRMA enters into force. In 2015, a 

Phase I planning study, seeking to develop a passenger preclearance facility for use by both the 

Adirondack and Vermonter trains inside the Montreal Central Station was completed. The New 

York State Department of Transportation, the Vermont Agency for Transportation, the Ministry 

of Transport Quebec, and Amtrak coordinated on the study. The facility would function as a 

shared-use facility with both U.S. and Canadian border security agencies conducting full 

customs, immigration, and agriculture inspections on-site and on trains operating in a sealed 

capacity between Montreal and the U.S. border.9The addition of a preclearance facility would 

mean that the Adirondack route would no longer stop at the border for customs, immigration, 

and agriculture inspections, which would cut down on delays and travel time and improve 

customer satisfaction. However, Montreal Central Station would be required to meet all the 

terms and conditions of the LRMA, including the recovery of costs to CBP, in order to proceed 

with preclearance at this location once the LRMA enters into force.

Current Passenger Rail Challenges and Opportunities

The U.S. and Canada have been pursuing the expansion of preclearance into new modes of 

transportation, including rail. On March 16, 2015, the U.S. and Canada signed the LRMA. The 

LRMA provides officials of CBP and CBSA the requisite authorities and tools to conduct

customs, immigration, and agricultural inspections, across all modes of transportation, in each 

other’s country.10 The LRMA will reduce congestion and delays at the border and increase 

efficiency and predictability in cross-border travel, tourism, and transportation. The LRMA will 

enter into force when Canada passes its implementing legislation (Bill C-23), necessary 

 

9

http://ebtc.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Annual-Report.pdf.

10 https://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/03/16/united-states-and-canada-sign-preclearance-agreement.
12

regulations, and the United States and Canada exchange diplomatic notes. When the LRMA 

enters into force it will supersede the Agreement on Air Transport Preclearance Between the 

Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada which covers only 

Air Transport Preclearance.

Amtrak-Specific Challenges and Opportunities

An Amtrak representative shared with FRA challenges that CBP, CBSA and Amtrak, have with 

the current Adirondack service to Montreal. Border agencies expressed concern over insufficient 

privacy for conducting traveler interviews, the risk to agents and passengers with firearms in a 

tight space, a lack of connectivity to agency information systems, a lack of ready access to 

conduct secondary inspection processes, and an inability to inspect a completely empty train. 

Amtrak stated their observance of issues of prolonged trip times exist due to idling for border 

inspections, adding travel delays due to traveler documentation issues. Amtrak stated their 

concern regarding customer satisfaction and financial performance measures.

Proposed underground facility location in Montreal Central Station (Photo Credit: Amtrak)

Preclearance for Montreal passenger rail service will require operational and functional 

improvements including a designated co-location for preclearance, as well as funding for staff 

and other resources to operate the preclearance facility. Funding is also required to lease space 

for the facility from CN and other owners of the Montreal Central Station properties and to

construct the facility at the track level as well as vertical access to the concourse level. 

Additional infrastructure investment would also be needed to achieve sealed capacity train 

operations with Canada.

The Maple Leaf service has the lowest north and southbound ridership of the three 

Amtrak border services, with approximately 18,000 northbound and 16,400 southbound
13

riders in 2015.

11 Amtrak states this is in part due to long dwell times at the border for 

passenger processing.

The Niagara Falls International Railway Station and Intermodal Transportation Center in 

New York has been open for Amtrak service since December 2016. The new Station 

serves Amtrak trains and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority buses with new 

station elements that include a platform, station, and site improvements for multimodal 

connections. Amtrak has stated that this station provides enhanced customer service for 

their travelers by consolidating and housing full-service CBP border inspection facilities

for inspection in the U.S. before trains enter Canada. This consolidation is designed to 

improve the convenience of border processing and reduce border crossing processing 

travel times.

The Niagara Falls International Railway Station (Photo Credit: Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News)

The U.S. continues efforts to add passenger rail service with Canada. The first includes 

reinstating service to Montreal’s Central Station with the Vermonter service, which currently 

travels from Washington, DC to St. Albans, VT. A second potential service would extend the

Wolverine Corridor with the VIA Quebec-Windsor Corridor, connecting Chicago and Detroit to 

Windsor, Ontario and terminating in Toronto, Ontario. Both operations require additional 

planning as well as operational and infrastructure improvements, to include preclearance 

procedures.

 

11 Amtrak Market Research and Analysis.
14

Regulatory Cooperation on Rail Between the U.S. and Canada:

The U.S. and TC enjoy a long history of collaboration on rail safety issues, as evidenced by the 

harmonization of many rail standards. While each country has its own regulations and rules, 

there are some commonalities. FRA’s rail safety group regularly meets with TC’s to share best 

practices and discuss new regulations under consideration, and personnel from both agencies 

work together on joint safety inspections on both sides of the border.

TC and FRA also work within various groups toward regulatory cooperation (see Appendix I for 

a list of such groups). Of note, the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) 

includes a rail safety working group that has a dedicated work plan for continued interaction on

harmonization of rail safety standards and collaboration on matters of mutual interest. 

In addition to the regulatory work, various agreements ensure efficient movement across the 

border for both freight and passenger rail service. Examples of critical formal agreements 

regarding current freight and passenger rail operations between the U.S. and Canada include, but 

are not limited to, the following:

 Operating agreements between Amtrak and the Canadian railroads to operate on

Canadian tracks;

 Agreements between the railroads and their respective labor unions to operate trains into 

either the U.S. or Canada with foreign crews;

 Agreements between the U.S. and Canadian freight railroads to operate on each other’s 

tracks when doing cross border run-throughs (includes where the cross border 

run-throughs will terminate—i.e., which rail yard);

 Agreements among the freight railroads, CBP, and their Canadian counterparts to allow 

for run-through trains between the U.S. and Canada and to identify how shipment 

information will be transmitted to the inspection agencies, as well as how inspections will 

occur; and 

Cross-Border Freight and Passenger Rail Between the U.S. and Mexico

Freight Rail Background:

Three U.S. Class I freight rail operators interchange with Mexico at the border. These include 

UP, Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS), and BNSF. Two Mexican Class I freight 

rail operators interchange with U.S. freight operators. These include Ferrocarril Mexicano 

(Ferromex) and KCS de México (KCSM), a subsidiary of KCS. UP is a shareholder of 

Ferromex.
15

Seven rail POEs along the Mexican border currently facilitate only freight movements. Texas 

has the most POEs as well as the highest number of incoming trains from Mexico. Figure 2

below illustrates the U.S.-Mexico rail POEs.12

Figure 2. Map of U.S-Mexico Rail POEs

Source: FRA

U.S.-Mexico Freight Rail POEs

Table 2 below shows the southern border rail POEs’ annual number of inbound trains and 

corresponding value of commodities in 2015. Laredo, TX saw the highest number of inbound 

trains at around 3,700, as well as the highest inbound value of commodities at over $18 billion. 

The POEs are listed in geographical order from west to east.

Table 2. Annual Inbound Trains and Value of Commodities for U.S./Mexico POEs (2015)13

U.S. City Mexican State Inbound Trains Value of Inbound

Commodities 

(Millions USD)

San Ysidro, CA Tijuana 252 N/A

Calexico, CA Mexicali 205 N/A

Nogales, AZ Nogales 795 6,185

El Paso, TX Ciudad Juarez 1,434 6,510

Eagle Pass, TX Piedras Negras 2,728 12,354

Laredo, TX Nuevo Laredo 3,758 18,375

Brownsville, TX Matamoros 685 499

SOURCE:BTS, based on data from the Department of Homeland Security, CBP, Office of Field Operations. 

 

12 The POEs at Presidio, TX and Campo, CA are shown for illustrative purposes only. Currently, they are not operational but 

have the potential for future freight movement in the near future.

13 BTS did not have data for the value of inbound commodities for two POEs: San Ysidro, CA and Calexico, CA. The POEs at 

Presidio, TX and Campo, CA are not listed and do not have data because they are currently not operational.
16

Current Freight Rail Standards and Protocols

As noted above, CBP monitors freight rail crossing into U.S. borders by generally following 

three procedures: advanced targeting, R-VACIS, and secondary physical inspections. Generally, 

CBP scans freight train movements coming into the U.S.; however, in some locations, CBP scans 

all southbound trains going into Mexico. Mexico’s border protection agency, Servicio de 

Administracion Tributaria (SAT), uses its own equipment to scan both incoming and outgoing 

trains.

The freight rail POEs along the U.S. southern border and the protocols they follow are described 

below. Each operating railroad works with CBP to perform their own operating procedures to 

ensure trains coming into the U.S. or traveling to Mexico are safe and secure. Additionally, FRA 

also conducts federal inspections of trains and its operations. As with Canada’s freight and 

passenger rail operations, U.S. southern border POEs do not follow the same protocols and 

procedures due to the unique characteristics and challenges of each location.

San Ysidro 

At the San Ysidro, CA border, northbound trains enter through the POE and into the U.S. as 

shown in the photo below. The train is stopped by CBP for inspection and receives a full x-ray 

scan. The Mexican crew continues approximately a quarter of a mile to dedicated track in San 

Ysidro yard, where they remove incoming cars as needed. Southbound cars are coupled with the 

original locomotive train that heads back to Mexico. The average is 20 cars per train set. The 

U.S. crew at San Ysidro yard takes the remaining cars to San Diego. 

 

From Left: San Ysidro Border Crossing where a northbound train enters the U.S. (Photo Credit: FRA); San Ysidro Border 

Crossing with border patrol inspecting a locomotive (Photo Credit: FRA)
17

Campo

The Campo rail border crossing connects the U.S. in Campo, CA with Tijuana in Mexico via 

tunnel (see photo below). There are a series of tunnels at this location. One tunnel used for 

border crossing traffic was closed after an adjacent tunnel had a large fire on the Mexican side in 

2008. After that the rail operations ceased at the crossing and much of the rail was vandalized 

and stolen. Interviewees shared that the Mexican government has invested in upgrades to the 

southern border areas at this POE. On the U.S. side, however, the track is in need of extensive 

repair, which will require much effort due to the track’s heavy grade. The Baja California 

Railroad (BJRR), which is registered as a rail operator in both the U.S. and Mexico, now has 

trackage rights to operate between Tijuana and Plaster City, CA by way of the Campo POE. 

BJRR is securing private investment funding for the rail improvements necessary to reopen the 

line. The economic value of reopening the line is tied to the opening of large manufacturing 

facilities in the area that would prefer rail transportation of their goods. These facilities include a 

large brewery scheduled to open in 2017 and auto manufacturing plants. 

In addition to rail repairs, decisions on where to locate the CBP facility and R-VACIS 

technology are also important for border services. The north end of the tunnel is in a difficult 

position, with only approximately 15 yards of land between the tunnel and the bridge into the 

U.S. Nearby Campo would be the closest flat area for a large facility on the U.S. side. The south 

side of the tunnel in Mexico also has suitable terrain for a facility. 

The Pacific Southwest Rail Museum in the past had used one of the series of tunnels to run an 

excursion train from Campo, CA to Tecate, Mexico. Since that tunnel had burned and collapsed 

in mid-2009, service has been indefinitely suspended pending the clearing and reconstruction of 

the railroad between the border and the damaged tunnel. Due to recent efforts by the city of 

Tecate, construction has begun to clear the collapsed tunnel and repair the tracks. The Museum 

hopes to secure an operating agreement to resume operations through Mexico to Tecate once 

railroad reconstruction is complete.14

 

14 https://www.psrm.org/tecate/
18

Campo Border Crossing – view at the end of tunnel is the U.S. side (Photo Credit: International Boundary & Water Commission)

Calexico

The second rail POE in California is in Calexico. This 

border crossing operates from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the 

weekdays. The protocol for interchanging trains involves the 

Mexican and U.S. crews taking their trains up to the gate. 

The crews then walk across and swap trains. The Mexican 

crew heads south from the U.S. side, and the U.S. crew heads 

north from the Mexican side. For northbound movements, 

the U.S. crew pulls the train for CBP review and a full x-ray 

scan and then to Calexico yard, about a half mile to the north 

side of the border. For southbound trains, another U.S. crew 

brings the train into El Centro, approximately six miles from 

the border. Trains normally consist of up to 35 cars.

Calexico Border Crossing looking south (Photo Credit: FRA)
19

 

From Left: Calexico Yard looking north; El Centro Yard (Photo Credit: FRA)

Nogales

There is one rail border crossing in Arizona at 

Nogales. This crossing sees approximately eight 

trains per day and operates all day. The protocol for a 

northbound train involves the Mexican crew pulling 

the train up to the gate at the border and the U.S. crew 

walking across the border and pulling the train nine 

miles to Rio Rico, AZ, where CBP inspects the train. 

The train is not inspected at the actual border because 

there is no physical location to park the train, and 

there are multiple highway grade crossings in the town 

of Nogales.

Nogales Border Crossing on U.S. side. The facility also has a pedestrian crossing. (Photo Credit: FRA)
20

El Paso

BNSF instituted a new interchange process at the El Paso POE effective June 2016. The

standard protocol is a one-for-one interchange, or one northbound and one southbound train at a 

time. 

The process is as follows: a northbound Ferromex train stops on the bridge short of the R-VACIS 

machine, where the track begins to split in two (shown in image below). The Ferromex crew 

then obtains clearance from CBP to exchange paperwork with a BNSF official. Finally, upon 

clearance from CBP and activation of the R-VACIS, the BNSF crew boards the train and 

operates it northbound past the R-VACIS machine and into their rail yard on the U.S. side.

For the southbound interchange, the BNSF crew pulls the train up to specific track clearance 

marks (shown in image below). The Ferromex crew then boards the train and awaits clearance 

from CBP before pulling the train and departing south for Mexican inspection and then to the 

Ferromex rail yard in Mexico.

El Paso Black Bridge (Facing south to Mexico with BNSF southbound interchange points with Ferromex) (Photo Credit: BNSF)

UP follows a similar procedure to BNSF’s at the El Paso POE. First the Ferromex crew pulls up 

to the international gate with a northbound train, exits the train, and waits for the UP crew to 

arrive. The UP crew then boards the train and pulls it north, until the rear of the train reaches 

past the international gate where it then stops and performs a Class III brake test, performed on 

all northbound trains at Mexican border POEs. Next, the train is operated further north until the 

rear of the train clears the bridge on the U.S. side while conducting a roll by inspection for any 

noticeable mechanical defects. Trains are then continued onto the nearest rail yard for a full and 

detailed mechanical and brake inspection. Trains heading southbound receive a brake test and 

move the train to the international gate where they dismount. Finally, the Ferromex crew boards 

the southbound train and pulls it into Mexico. North and southbound train movements are not 

simultaneous. Once the northbound train clears, then the southbound train is picked up and 

moved. The interaction for crew changes is off the bridge in El Paso.
21

 

From Left: UP El Paso Bridge on Mexican Side (Photo Credit: FRA); UP El Paso Bridge on U.S. side (Photo Credit: FRA)

Presidio

In 2008, a fire damaged the former rail 

bridge located in Presidio, TX, and the 

crossing has not been operational on the 

U.S. side since. A strong rationale for 

reconstruction is that there is a 

possibility of running freight traffic from 

the Port of Topolobampo, Mexico to the 

border at Presidio, TX. At Presidio, 

freight traffic would operate across the 

Texas Pacifico Railroad (formerly the

South Orient), which is owned by the 

State of Texas. Texas continues to 

pursue funding for the reconstruction of 

this crossing.

Presidio-Ojinaga International Bridge – the concrete structure is on the Mexican side, while the missing section on the U.S. side 

was destroyed in a fire (Photo Credit: FRA)

Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Railway Bridge

Also known as the UP International Railroad Bridge, the 

Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Railway Bridge 

crosses the U.S.-Mexico border between the cities of 

Eagle Pass, TX and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. 

The U.S. portion is owned and operated by UP, with 

BNSF having trackage rights. The Mexican portion is 

owned by the Mexican government, with its operation 

commissioned to Ferromex. This bridge is the second 

busiest international rail crossing on the southern border.
22

UP International Railroad Bridge in El Paso, TX (Photo Credit: FRA)

UP International Bridge (Photo Credit: FRA)

Laredo

The freight railroads involved in 

daily operation of train movements 

in Laredo are KCS, KCSM, and UP. 

The Laredo International Bridge is 

utilized for an average of 23-24 

trains daily and operates 24 hours 

each day. For purposes of 

operational efficiency, trains are 

typically run in one direction for 

six-hour shifts, i.e., six hours for 

strictly northbound trains and six 

hours for southbound. The railroad 

entities on both sides of the border 

are in constant communication 

about the order of train movements,

as delays either at the border or 

their respective rail yards affect the 

timing of trains crossing over the 

bridge. 

Laredo International Bridge (Mexico on left side) (Photo Credit: FRA)

Prior to the train’s arrival at the border, the train operator provides specific information 

electronically about the train to the railroad receiving it across the border. SAT scans trains 

traveling both north and south on each side of the border and processes fines for incorrect 

documentation in paper form, which can lead to delays. CBP only scans, via R-VACIS, 

northbound trains traveling at a speed of 5 mph. Delays occur at the border if a crew is not 

present on either side when the train arrives, if officials identify mechanical issues, or if CBP or 

SAT do not grant clearance at the moment the train arrives at the bridge. If CBP or SAT deem it 

necessary to conduct further inspect the train due to the results of the scan or otherwise, the train 

moves off the bridge and into the POE railroad’s respective yard. 
23

KCS Crew approaching stopped northbound train for crew change and mechanical inspection – Laredo (Photo Credit: FRA) 

Brownsville West Rail Bypass International Bridge

After 15 years of planning, construction, and a cost of more than $120 million, the Brownsville 

West Rail Bypass International Bridge opened on August 7, 2015—the first new international 

rail bridge into Mexico in over 100 years. This relocation project improves safety by eliminating 

11 at-grade crossings and improving traffic congestion and air quality within the historical 

district of Brownsville, TX. The bridge facilitates economic growth and improves efficiency of

rail operations in Brownsville.

On January 13, 2017, the U.S. Department of State issued a Presidential permit to UP 

authorizing the railroad to operate and maintain the Brownsville West Rail Bypass International 

Bridge. CBP has been working to improve inspections and clearance procedures in Brownsville. 

Due to past incidents of violence at the center of the bridge, where U.S. and Mexican crews 

formerly exchanged operational control, Mexican crews may bring trains to the end of the bridge 

on the U.S. side for crew change and inspection. CBP and SAT share R-Vacis data with each 

other.
24

Aerial view of the bridge as it crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico from the U.S. (from left to right) (Photo Credit: Cameron 

County, TX)

Current Freight Rail Challenges and Opportunities

FRA discussed the challenges of freight movement on the southern border between the U.S. and 

Mexico with experts of both countries. Various personnel from both countries listed similar 

concerns regarding border security, resources to develop additional security, capacity limits, and

technology at the border. FRA has issued waivers where appropriate to ensure efficient but safe 

movement across the border. There are also options for improvement and future opportunities 

that include information and technology sharing, mutual planning for border improvements, and 

overall continued collaboration for improved efficiencies.

The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 prohibits mechanical and brake inspections of rail cars 

performed in Mexico from satisfying U.S. rail safety laws and regulations unless certain 

conditions are met.15 U.S. railroads that operate along the southern border have applied for 

waivers from the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to permit the acceptance of a Class III 

brake inspection16 and mechanical roll-by inspection of rail cars entering into the U.S. from 

Mexico by qualified U.S. railroad employees. FRA has approved these waivers, typically with 

conditions, for purposes of operational efficiency at the border, without compromising safety. 

 

15 Rail Safety Improvement Act, Pub. L. 110-432, Sec. 416, 122 Stat. 4848, 4890 (2008).

16 49 CFR § 232.211, Class III brake tests – trainline continuity inspection.
25

Full and detailed federally-required mechanical and brake inspections are conducted at the first 

respective U.S. railroad’s rail yard appropriate to conduct these tests. These exceptions to 

federal regulations must be strictly adhered to, as not doing so could lead to problems such as a

broken wheel or a piece of dragging equipment, which can affect components of track 

infrastructure such as switches, etc. FRA’s most recent observations of trains entering the U.S. 

from Mexico have been that the vast majority of defective conditions are minor, non-catastrophic 

conditions.

Crew changes along the U.S. and Mexican border are a challenge to moving goods in an efficient 

and safe manner. Railroad officials would like to see crews vetted and cleared in Mexico and 

trains scanned prior to arriving at the border. This option would maximize speeds across the 

bridge, but would require Mexican crews to enter the U.S. beyond the bridge. In essence, a 

consolidated inspection and clearance on the Mexican side of the border would improve speed 

and efficiency of trains entering the U.S. While railroads would like to see mutual recognition 

and harmonization, similar to processes in Canada, this requires significant effort from both 

governmental bodies.

As an example of a railroad border improvement initiative, KCS has been working with UP on

interchangeable train crews, and they are in the process of certifying a group of KCSM crew 

members to operate trains in the U.S. KCS has spent the past three years attempting to define 

this process in a manner that is acceptable from a regulatory standpoint, in which FRA would

approve Mexican train crew certifications without the need for a waiver. Regarding a U.S. crew 

being on the same train with a Mexican crew, there is concern about the possibility of contraband

entering the U.S. on trains for which U.S. crews are responsible; this approach would create 

additional liability for them. Industry experts also noted interchangeable train crews would be 

difficult to implement due to differing U.S. and Mexican labor agreements.

In Laredo, both government and industry representatives assured FRA of on-going 

communication, and that process improvements are discussed on a frequent basis among

stakeholders. Railroad entities have daily calls and process improvement teams look for 

opportunities to improve crossing times. SAT and CBP meet regularly to discuss issues and 

opportunities to improve information sharing and process improvements. Regular 

communication is a recurring recommendation from persons interviewed, to foster increased 

process improvements and optimize efficient movement at the border.

Passenger Rail Background:

Lack of Passenger Rail Service

No passenger rail service currently operates across the border between the U.S. and Mexico. 

Ferromex runs the passenger rail service offered in the interior of Mexico with a subsidy from 

the Mexican Government, and this service accounts for a small percentage of the national travel 

market.

In discussions with both Mexican and U.S. government personnel, any new service would 

require close cooperation between the governments for infrastructure planning, field operations,
26

and technology requirements. New protocols for clearance of passengers would need to be 

created on both sides of the border and would require strong commitment from each government

and the railroad entity operating the service.

If such a service were to begin, reviewing the protocol currently utilized on the northern border 

between the U.S. and Canada would be a helpful starting point for discussions on protocol at the 

southern border. 

Efforts to Facilitate Passenger Rail Service Between the U.S. (Texas) and Mexico

(Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon)

High-speed passenger rail has been under consideration in Texas since the late 1980s. In the 

1990s, a private consortium was awarded a franchise to design, build, and operate high-speed rail 

in the State. Although the consortium’s study of demand appeared to support the development of 

high-speed rail, lack of funding and other obstacles prevented that project from moving forward. 

Since then, other proposals for high-speed rail in Texas have been submitted to FRA, with each 

proposal showing revenues that exceed operating expenses but requiring funding to build. In 

2000, FRA designated the South Central Corridor, including the area between San Antonio and 

Dallas and Fort Worth, as a future high-speed rail corridor. In 2010, TxDOT received a grant to 

study passenger rail in that corridor.17

As part of its Network Growth Strategy published in 2000, Amtrak considered adding passenger 

rail service between San Antonio and Monterrey, a route of approximately 375 miles. Amtrak 

had previously held discussions with Mexican authorities concerning alignment and right-of-way 

issues. Monterrey is a leading industrial and corporate center in Mexico with strong historic, 

economic, and social ties to Texas. Amtrak has taken no further action on this proposal. 

However, TxDOT is currently considering passenger rail service along this route as part of its 

Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study.18

Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study – Service-Level Draft Environmental Impact 

Statement19

In July 2016, TxDOT and FRA published a service-level Draft EIS to evaluate the impacts, 

benefits, and costs of a range of passenger rail service options in an 850-mile corridor from 

Oklahoma City to South Texas along the IH-35 corridor. The study considers three discrete 

portions of the corridor to include the Southern section from San Antonio to South Texas 

(Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo, and the Rio Grande Valley), with the option to extend to 

Monterrey, Mexico. Two preferred route alternatives were considered for the Southern Section: 

Alternative S4, with higher-speed rail, and Alternative S6, with higher-speed or high-speed rail.20

 

17 http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rail/txok/impact-statement.pdf.

18 http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rail/2016-rail-plan/chapter-3.pdf.

19 http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rail/txok/impact-statement.pdf.

20 The labels Alternative S4 and S6 refer to the route names of the two southern (S) section routes of the comprehensive impact 

study. Higher-speed rail refers to speeds up to 125 mph. High-speed rail refers to speeds up to 220 to 250 mph.
27

Alternative S4 would primarily use new tracks, beginning in San Antonio and continuing 

southeast along the UP rail alignment to George West and entering a new rail alignment to Alice. 

From Alice, trains would follow three separate routes serving different parts of South Texas, 

with one service that could be extended to Monterrey, Mexico via McAllen. With this scenario, 

trains would run at top speeds of 110-125 mph and require tracks separate from existing freight 

rail, whether in a shared right-of-way or along a new rail corridor.21 TxDOT recommended 

Alternative S4 Higher-Speed Rail as a preferred alternative because this alternative provides 

public benefits that include meeting more local transportation needs than any other alternative, 

which supports the Southern Section purpose and need. 

Alternative S6 would mostly use new tracks, beginning in San Antonio and terminating at a new 

station near the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity Bridge. The study only examined the U.S.

component of this new line, but considered ridership from a connection to Monterrey, Mexico, 

via the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity Bridge. One scenario would have trains run at top speeds of 

110-125 mph and would require tracks separate from existing freight rail, whether in a shared 

right-of-way or along a new rail corridor. The other scenario would have trains run at top speeds 

of 180-220 mph and would require entirely new right-of-ways, as existing railroad corridors are 

not designed for high speeds and are not wide enough to provide required separation between 

freight and high-speed passenger rail.22

TxDOT recommended Alternative S6 Higher-Speed Rail and Alternative S6 High-Speed Rail as 

preferred alternatives, but only if the alternatives include a connection to Monterrey, Mexico. 

This is because three-fourths of potential ridership on this route would occur only with the 

connection to Monterrey. The higher-speed versus high-speed service levels for this route 

cannot be further analyzed without more information about the Monterrey connection.

 

21 http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rail/txok/s4-alt-fact-sheet.pdf.

22 http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/rail/txok/s6-alt-fact-sheet.pdf.

Alternative S4 Route Map (Image Credit: TxDOT); Southern Section Alternative S6 Route Map (Image Credit: TxDOT)
28

Once a preferred alternative is identified, TxDOT will prepare a final EIS that responds to 

comments received on the draft EIS. It will also include additional detail, such as mitigation 

measures for unavoidable impacts that might result from the preferred alternative. Once the final 

EIS is complete, FRA will issue a record of decision (ROD), which codifies the FRA’s 

concurrence with the service-level NEPA process. TxDOT also will prepare a service 

development plan to complete the service-level final EIS. This plan will outline the passenger 

service concepts, public benefits and a financial plan for potential future development of the 

corridor based on the preferred alternatives. It will prioritize potential projects to be developed 

within the corridor, identify costs and potential funding sources.23

There is currently no funding for the next level of assessment. The cost of the alternative of 

providing high-speed or higher-speed rail service from San Antonio to the northern part of

Laredo is estimated at $15-20 billion. This estimate does not include investments needed by 

Mexican counterparts to continue the new rail alignment from north of Laredo into Mexico and 

terminating at Monterrey.

If there were future interest in passenger rail service into Monterrey, Mexico, it is likely this 

environmental study would be expanded, in cooperation with the Mexican government, to review 

that segment.

U.S. and Mexican Bridge Approval Processes for Constructing International Bridges24

The potential development of a dedicated track for border service between the U.S. and Mexico 

would likely necessitate a new international bridge. Regarding the potential bridge between the 

U.S. in Texas and Mexico in Tamaulipas, the following summarizes some of the required steps 

for each country.

The U.S. Federal Government and Texas approval processes to build a bridge connecting the 

United States to Mexico begin with the application for a Presidential Permit. Texas allows the 

applicant to concurrently seek approval from the Texas Transportation Commission and the U.S.

Federal Government. Where a Border Master Plan has been established, the proposed project 

should be submitted to that entity for consideration and/or inclusion in the regional Border 

Master Plan, and for consideration by the U.S. State Department. The Presidential Permit 

process involves the collaboration of both Federal and Texas State agencies and may take several 

years due to environmental regulations and other issues. Some of the Federal agencies

participating in this permitting process are: Department of Homeland Security (CBP and the U.S. 

Coast Guard), Food and Drug Administration, USDOT, Department of Commerce, 

Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service),

and the Department of Defense. The U.S. State Department invites these agencies to comment 

on the permit application and on the environmental and other documentation submitted by the 

sponsor.

 

23 http://www.txdot.gov/government/legislative/state-affairs/texas-oklahoma-rail/compliance.html

24 https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/iro/international-bridges.pdf, Appendix III.
29

The Mexican government employs a similar approval process for constructing international 

bridges. However, before any project can be considered for development, it must first be 

evaluated based on an established set of priorities under the advisement of the Bridges and 

Border Crossings Interagency Group (Grupo Intersecretarial de Puentes y Cruces Fronterizos). 

The proposed project should be presented for consideration to the Interagency Group, which is 

chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and in which the Ministry of Communications and 

Transportation participates. The proposed project should also be presented to the U.S.-Mexico 

Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group to assess its binational feasibility and to 

establish a dialogue between the two countries regarding the project. Additionally, where a 

Border Master Plan has been established, the proposed project should be submitted to that entity 

for consideration and/or inclusion in the regional Border Master Plan.

Regulatory Cooperation on Rail Between the U.S. and Mexico:

As stated earlier, because Mexico’s rail regulations are still in development, freight railroads 

operating in Mexico consistently operate in accordance with FRA’s and AAR’s standards. FRA 

has had limited interaction with the Mexican government in the past; however, recent 

developments discussed below have created new ability for cooperation.

In May 2015, FRA sent personnel to Mexico City to provide rail regulatory expertise and 

assistance to support the Mexican Transportation Ministry’s efforts in establishing a new rail 

regulatory agency. FRA—along with the STB, Department of Justice, and Canadian rail 

regulators—presented before Mexican officials on the regulatory frameworks in the U.S. and 

Canada and the economics of the railroad industry. 

Mexico’s newly created Rail Transport Regulatory Agency, ARTF, began its operations in 

August 2016 to promote better safety and efficiency for services and operations in the national 

rail system. ARTF has been created as a separate entity within the Secretariat of 

Communications and Transport (SCT). ARTF has been mandated a) to regulate, promote, 

monitor, and verify the construction, operation, conservation, maintenance, interconnection in 

railways and railway infrastructure and the provision, the public service of rail transport, and its 

ancillary services, and b) to promote the interrelationship of multimodal railway terminals.25

Per discussion with the FRA, ARTF’s additional authorities include integrating the Mexican 

Railroad Register; promoting the expansion and use of the rail network; issuing, revalidating, 

suspending, and cancelling the federal railway license, in accordance with the applicable legal 

provisions; investigating railway casualties and, if applicable, integrating the commission for the 

investigation thereof; promoting the development of multimodal infrastructure, to increase 

accessibility to the transportation of cargo in the country; exercising powers regarding tariffs and 

prices in the public service of rail transport, its ancillary services, and other activities related to 

the railway service; and coordinating the National Safety Fund for Railroad Crossings in 

accordance with applicable legal provisions, among others.26

 

25 http://www.cofemer.gob.mx/noticia.aspx?not_id=2927.

26 http://www.cofemer.gob.mx/noticia.aspx?not_id=2927.
30

FRA recently began communications with ARTF. Future interactions could include cooperation 

on regulatory practices to foster understanding and additional trilateral communication among

FRA, ARTF, and TC on matters of mutual interest such as rail safety. Current bilateral 

interactions between FRA and TC could be expanded into trilateral structures to include 

ARTF/SCT, as appropriate. Modeling after the successful joint inspection program between 

FRA and TC, FRA could offer similar joint inspections in the U.S. to assist in training Mexican 

counterparts.

Interviewed sources see the value of replicating the development model of passenger rail 

operations and procedures with Canada for possible future passenger rail operations with 

Mexico; however, the existing challenges would make this a long-term goal. Issues of funding

infrastructure coupled with potential dangers in border areas will require specific attention to 

allow for safe, secure movement of passengers across the southern border.

Conclusion

Continued cooperative efforts on rail transportation among the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican 

governments is paramount to ensuring the safe and efficient movement of people and goods 

throughout North America. Where possible, trilateral meetings to discuss rail safety standards

and protocols should be encouraged to further expand harmonization efforts among all three 

countries—as all three can benefit from mutual understanding of each other’s regulatory 

environments.

FRA and TC have had long-standing working relationships with a common goal of rail safety. 

Based on interviews and meetings with subject matter experts, continued collaboration and 

regular meetings among FRA, TC, and Mexico’s ARTF and other SCT counterparts would 

benefit all parties, especially Mexico’s efforts in creating new rail regulations. If language 

becomes an obstacle for Mexican counterparts to understand U.S. or Canadian rail regulations,

translation into Spanish would be recommended to ensure clear understanding.

Some items of cooperation in the near term could include expansion of joint-inspection programs

to include Mexican counterparts on the U.S. side, technical exchanges on rail safety matters of 

mutual interest, and continued engagement in rail cooperative meetings (a short list of some of 

these groups is provided in Appendix I). Comments from industry indicated regular meetings 

between government officials and railroad industry representatives regarding border operations

would be beneficial; such meetings could facilitate the exchange of information on technology, 

streamlining of processes where possible, and sharing of best practices.

Regarding the establishment of cross-border passenger rail service between the U.S. and Mexico, 

studies on the feasibility of such a rail system would be needed and would require strong interest 

and funding from both the U.S. and Mexico. Private funding of new transportation projects 

crossing the border should be encouraged to maximize potential economic benefits to both sides 

of the border from increased rail transportation of goods and/or people.

In conclusion, exchanging best practices along with developing relationships within a trilateral 

structure would help improve rail operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Continued 

communication and process improvements among government agencies and railroad entities will
31

help improve border crossing operations and provide an environment for the safe and efficient 

movement of people and goods.
32

Appendix I: Partial List of Government Sponsored U.S./Canada/Mexico Working Groups

Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group (BBBXG)

This group brings together U.S. and Mexican federal interagency and border state and 

municipal planning organizations to coordinate and discuss matters related to the operation 

and planning of existing and proposed international bridges, border crossings, and ports of 

entry, as well as exchange views on technical and policy information.

High Level Economic Dialogue (HLED)27

The HLED, led at the cabinet level, is envisioned as a flexible platform intended to advance 

strategic economic and commercial priorities central to promoting mutual economic growth, 

job creation, and global competitiveness. It will build on, but not duplicate, a range of 

existing successful bilateral dialogues and working groups, and is envisioned as a mechanism 

to advance shared strategic priorities. 

North American Transportation Statistics Working Group (NATS)

NATS is an online database containing comparable transportation-related data available from the 

U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The database covers subject areas ranging from demographics to 

domestic and international freight activity, domestic and international passenger travel, and 

transportation infrastructure. The NATS Online Database is co-sponsored by BTS, the U.S. 

Census Bureau, and the federal government-level transportation and statistical agencies of 

Canada and Mexico. The trilateral working group has been working to standardize data 

collection on freight and passenger rail activities to the best extent possible. An annual NATS 

Summit is held to ensure frameworks, goals, and deliverables are being met and data is added 

and refreshed. 

Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG)28

The mission of the TBWG is to facilitate the safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally 

responsible movement of people and goods across the Canada-U.S. border. The TBWG 

brings together multiple transportation and border agencies, and other organizations, to 

coordinate transportation planning, policy implementation, and the deployment of technology 

to enhance border infrastructure and operations.

U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) 

RCC is an initiative between Canada and the U.S. with a mandate of working together "to 

promote economic growth, job creation, and benefits to our consumers and businesses through 

increased regulatory transparency and coordination" between the two countries. The 2016 RCC 

work plan was created to leverage respective expertise and lessons learned to harmonize the rail 

safety regimes to the greatest extent possible. Both the Federal Railroad Administration and 

Transport Canada continue to work on meeting deliverables to include attending each agency’s 

rail safety advisory committees in consultation and development of key regulations. 

 

27 http://trade.gov/hled/. 

28 http://www.thetbwg.org/index_e.htm
33

U.S.-Mexico Joint Working Committee on Transportation Planning (JWC)29

The JWC is a binational group whose primary focus is to cooperate on land transportation 

planning and facilitate efficient, safe, and economical cross-border transportation movements. 

The group is composed of transportation professionals from the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) and the Mexican Secretariat of Communication and Transportation 

(SCT). In addition to FHWA and SCT, members of the JWC include representatives from the 

U.S. Department of State, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE), the four U.S. 

border state Departments of Transportation, and the six Mexican border states. The General 

Services Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of 

Homeland Security also participate in JWC meetings.

 

29 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/border_planning/us_mexico/. 
34

Appendix II: List of Acronyms

Amtrak National Passenger Railroad Corporation

ARTF Agencia Reguladora del Transporte Ferroviario de México (Regulatory 

Agency for Rail Transport of Mexico)

BJRR The Baja California Railroad

CBP US Customs and Border Protection

CBSA Canada Border Services Agency

CFR US Code of Federal Regulations

CN Canadian National

CP Canadian Pacific

DOJ US Department of Justice

DOS US Department of State

DOT US Department of Transportation

EBTC Eastern Border Transportation Coalition

FRA Federal Railroad Administration

GAO Government Accountability Office

KCS Kansas City Southern

KCSM Kansas City Southern de México

MTQ Ministry of Transport Quebec

NYSDOT New York State Department of Transportation

POE Port of Entry

RCC Regulatory Cooperation Council

SAT Service Tax Administration (Mexico)

SCT Secretariat of Communications and Transport (Mexico)

STB Surface Transportation Board

TIGER Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery

TxDOT Texas Department of Transportation

UP Union Pacific

US United States

VTrans Vermont Agency for Transportation

WP&YR White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad