BNDES plans to expand public transport network in 21 Brazilian metropolitan areas

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and the Ministry of Cities (Ministério das Cidades) have released new findings from the National Urban Mobility Study (ENMU), which plans to expand and enhance medium- and high-capacity public transport networks in 21 metropolitan areas across Brazil, including cities such as Curitiba, Salvador, Campinas, Baixada Santista, São Luís, Maceió, Natal, and Manaus. Projects will take the form of subways, light rail (VLT), bus rapid transit (BRT), and bus corridors.

In Curitiba, for example, the study estimates that the network will be expanded to 206 kilometers, with investments ranging from R$11.7 billion to R$22.7 billion. Salvador's network could reach 171 kilometers, with investments of up to R$13.1 billion; Campinas could extend its network to 161 kilometers, with investments of up to R$7.8 billion. For regions currently lacking medium- or high-capacity systems, such as Manaus, Maceió, and São Luís, there is potential to build networks of 48 kilometers, 42 kilometers, and 53 kilometers, respectively.

The National Urban Mobility Study compiles a database of 187 urban transport projects, covering over 3,000 kilometers of public transport infrastructure. According to estimates, implementing these projects could prevent 27,000 traffic accident victims annually, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3 million tons per year, lower travel costs by 11%, and cut average travel time by 16%, generating social benefits exceeding R$400 billion.

The survey was conducted between 2024 and 2026, and its findings will serve as guidance for states and municipalities in project structuring and the formulation of sustainable urban transport public policies.