BNSF, J.B. Hunt, GMXT launch Quantum intermodal service in Mexico

BNSF Railway Co., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. and Grupo Mexico Transportes (GMXT) late last week announced the launch of an intermodal offering for Mexican businesses with service-sensitive freight delivery.

Quantum de Mexico — a J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT service^™ — will follow the service model of its U.S. counterpart launched by J.B. Hunt and BNSF in November 2023, according to a joint press release.

Quantum provides the consistency, agility and speed needed to transport sensitive highway freight using rail, meeting businesses’ “just in time” freight needs, said officials with the railroads and J.B. Hunt.

The service is designed for efficiency, offering an over 95% on-time delivery rate that's up to one day faster than traditional intermodal service, they added.

Quantum de Mexico will operate on key routes connecting major cities and industrial hubs in both countries. Primary markets served include Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, the U.S. West Coast and U.S. eastern destinations; and Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico.

"Quantum de Mexico represents a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and excellence in logistics,” said Jon Gabriel, BNSF's group vice president–consumer products. “Expanding our reach from coast to coast allows us to harness our collective strengths and broaden our ability to deliver an unparalleled experience to our customers."

In 2024, J.B. Hunt, BNSF and GMXT launched intermodal service to and from Mexico through the Eagle Pass Gateway. As more businesses turn to Mexico to solve supply chain challenges, the country has grown to be one of the Top 10 exporters in the world, with more than two-thirds of those exports destined for the United States.

Top export industries include automotive, manufacturing, agricultural, electronics and other service-sensitive freight areas. Nearly 70% of freight transported across the Mexico-U.S. border is moved by traditional over-the-road (OTR) highway transport.

The new collaboration is aimed at capitalizing on intermodal service for businesses moving freight in and out of Mexico, including converting OTR highway freight to rail intermodal, officials with the three companies said.