Auditing authority finds irregularities in Mexico City-Toluca train project

Mexico’s auditing authority, ASF, found irregularities related to works on the Mexico City-Toluca interurban train.

According to a report on last year’s public spending, the infrastructure, communications and transportation ministry (SICT) did not correctly supervise the award of a contract to Vise, which was building the Vasco de Quiroga station on a 546mn-peso (US$28mn) offer.

“The company that was directly awarded the construction works presented deficient financial calculations, which would have been a motive to declare the bidding unsuccessful and reject all proposals,” the report said.

ASF said that works were not planned in anticipation, due to a lack of rights-of-way, among other problems.

The authority also identified cost overruns, highlighting 554mn pesos spent on supervision even before construction started.