#Mexico plans boost to the Beast to discourage Central American migrants | World news | theguardian.com
▻http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/mexico-the-beast-discourage-central-american-migrants
The government of Mexico has announced a plan to modernise the freight railway that runs through the country in an effort to discourage Central American migrants from riding the trains on their way to the US border.
The 6,000m peso (£275m) project includes purchasing 12 satellite-monitored vehicles to run ahead of the trains and relay information about what lies along the track, which is traditionally lined with groups of migrants waiting to board as it trundles by. It could also include replacing large sections of track to increase speed and make jumping on more difficult.
The government says the plan is designed to protect the migrants. Hundreds have died or lost limbs in bungled attempts to board the train – popularly known as the Beast – or after going to sleep and falling off. Some have been pushed off by criminal gangs who roam the route. Rapes are common.
