El Jalapeño: Mexico City residents express civic pride in having the ‘world’s worst traffic’

MEXICO CITY — The capital city reclaimed its title as the most congested metropolis in the world, according to the latest TomTom Traffic Index. The news brought a wave of civic pride among Mexico City residents, who celebrated their unofficial status as the city with the worst traffic. The congestion level averaged a distressing 75.9%, surpassing cities like Bengaluru in India and Dublin in Ireland.

The streets of Mexico City, particularly around the Viaducto, buzzed with enthusiasm as commuters honked their horns and pushed their way over to mark the occasion. Even local residents, like Eduardo Ramos, expressed a newfound pride in the city's traffic. "When Barranquilla took the crown, people started moving at reasonable speeds.

It felt like we were losing our cultural identity," Ramos said, as he idled near Insurgentes. City officials marked the milestone with a press conference, despite arriving late due to a standstill near the Zócalo. Transportation authorities praised the unwavering commitment of Mexico City drivers, who continued to brave the gridlock, turning a 10-kilometer journey into a 34-minute ordeal.

The report highlighted May 28 as the peak day of congestion, with traffic spiking to a staggering 117%. To commemorate the moment, commemorative plaques are planned for the Periférico overpass, where an estimated two million vehicles turned a highway into an outdoor parking lot. Urban mobility analyst Sofía Mendoza noted that while other cities struggle to maintain traffic flow, Mexico City residents view stationary commutes as a time for personal growth, breakfast, and even running a small business.

At the height of traffic, the Circuito Interior came to a complete halt, with thousands of motorists joining in a synchronized revving of engines to ensure that Colombia would not challenge the title again.