Government maps mobility projects in 21 metropolitan regions

In Brazil's 21 largest metropolitan regions, around 400 projects focused on medium- and high-capacity public transportation modes will require over R$600 billion in investments. This preliminary number appears in the third bulletin of the National Urban Mobility Study (ENMU), released this Tuesday (11) by BNDES and the Ministry of Cities. The considered modes include subways, trains, light rail vehicles (LRV), and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems.

The study, with a long-term perspective, aims primarily to support the formulation of the National Urban Mobility Strategy. The proposal seeks to foster partnerships between the federal government and metropolitan regions to make projects feasible and increase sector investments. The mapped projects will form the first national database of Medium- and High-Capacity Public Transport projects (TPC-MAC), with priority proposals for the 21 regions analyzed.

Even with only 40% of the survey completed, the data already indicate a need for resources exceeding R$600 billion — a value significantly higher than the R$300 billion deficit estimated by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) in 2023.

Luciana Costa, Director of Infrastructure and Climate Change at BNDES, stated that the study will provide an essential guide for a more sustainable urban future:

“When we complete this study, we will have a map that will guide our cities toward a greener and more sustainable future.” She emphasized that improving the population's quality of life is one of the federal government's priorities:

“Reducing daily commute times, allowing people to be closer to their families, is a major urban challenge. This transformation also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The consultants responsible for the study critically analyze the registered proposals, evaluating the compatibility of investments with projected demand over the next 30 years, as well as checking for potential overlaps or outdated projects.

The Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, reinforced the ministry's commitment to urban mobility:

“Investing in urban planning and solutions compatible with local realities is essential to ensure quality of life for the population. Our commitment is to make cities smarter, with exclusive lanes and cleaner public transport. This will result in greater comfort and shorter travel times.”