A Reuters review of census data and interviews with dozens of residents deep in Mexico’s Maya jungle revealed the broken promises of an ambitious rail project.

Mexico’s Mayan Train was meant to bring development to the country’s impoverished south through improved infrastructure and increased tourism.

But, two years after it was inaugurated, it is struggling. Ticket sales cover only a fraction of operating costs and hotels built along the route sit mostly empty.

And in towns along the track, poverty remains entrenched and well-paying jobs are hard to find.