Public Transport in Brazil: Current Challenges and Solutions

Tip: Promoting awareness and safety campaigns is essential to encourage the use of these modes in a sustainable and safe way.

Notice: Without well-structured public policies and continuous investments, public transport faces difficulties in keeping up with the growth of urban demands.

Sector Legislation and Regulation

Brazilian legislation on public transport establishes guidelines that guide the operation, financing and improvement of urban mobility systems.

Among the main laws is the Law No. 12,587/2012which establishes the National Urban Mobility Plan (PNMU). This legislation determines that public transport must be prioritized over individual transport, aiming for greater efficiency and sustainability.

Despite the existence of well-structured laws, monitoring and compliance with these standards face significant obstacles.

The lack of resources and inspection teams, combined with the difficulty of monitoring large urban networks, results in services that are often below expectations. Still, in some cities, strict compliance with regulations has contributed to important advances, such as greater transparency in fare costs and improved accessibility.

The effective application of these laws depends on integrated management between municipal, state and federal governments. Initiatives that involve popular participation have proven to be crucial for aligning regulations with the population's demands.

Curitiba: Pioneering the BRT System – Success Story in Brazil

Curitiba is an international example of innovation in public transport. Since the 1970s, the city has implemented the world's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, a model that has inspired similar projects in several metropolises.

The Curitiba system was designed to offer efficiency and accessibility. Dedicated bus lanes have significantly reduced travel times for thousands of passengers. Furthermore, the pre-boarding structure, which allows payment before accessing the vehicle, increased operational speed.

The impacts were notable. Curitiba managed to reduce the use of private cars, improve air quality and provide more inclusive mobility.

Even facing challenges such as increased demand over the years, the city continues to be a reference in sustainable transport.

São Paulo: Integration and Expansion of the Metro

The São Paulo subway is one of the busiest systems in Latin America, serving millions of passengers daily. To deal with growing demand, the city has invested in expanding its lines and integrating with other modes, such as buses and metropolitan trains.

Fare integration through the Bilhete Único was a strategic step, allowing passengers to use different means of transport with a single payment. This made travel faster and more accessible, especially for residents of peripheral regions.

In recent years, the expansion of lines 4-Yellow and 5-Lilac has brought significant improvements. These new routes not only increased service capacity, but also reduced overcrowding at central stations. Furthermore, the modernization of trains and the use of automatic operating systems have reinforced the reliability and efficiency of the service.

These examples show how planning, innovation and investment can transform public transport, even in challenging contexts.

Models such as Curitiba and São Paulo prove that good practices are replicable and can benefit other Brazilian cities.

Fortaleza: Encouraging the Use of Bicycles

Fortaleza is one of the great examples of how to promote active mobility in Brazil. With a series of programs aimed at encouraging the use of bicycles, the city has managed to transform the urban mobility scenario and reduce dependence on motorized vehicles.

Among the main initiatives is the program Bikinga bike sharing system launched in 2014.

With stations spread throughout the city, it offers a practical and affordable alternative for short trips.

Currently, the system already accounts for more than 3 million trips madeshowing significant support from residents.

The expansion of cycle paths is also a highlight. Fortaleza increased its cycling network 68 km in 2014 to more than 350 km in 2023connecting peripheral neighborhoods to the center and promoting greater safety for cyclists.

As a result, there was a significant increase in the number of trips made by bicycle, contributing to the reduction of traffic and the emission of polluting gases.

Despite the success, challenges such as maintaining cycle paths and raising awareness among drivers still persist.

Educational campaigns and continued investments are essential to sustain this progress and expand the benefits of active mobility.

Future Challenges and Perspectives for Public Transport: Adaptation to New Technologies and Innovations

Technological innovations promise to profoundly transform public transport in the coming decades. Autonomous and electric vehicles, for example, are already being tested in several cities around the world, and Brazil is beginning to explore these possibilities.

• Impact of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles:
  The use of electric buses significantly reduces carbon emissions, while autonomous vehicles can optimize routes and reduce operating costs. In São Paulo, tests with electric buses have demonstrated energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.
• Preparing Cities for Technological Innovations:
  To integrate these technologies, it is necessary to invest in digital infrastructure, such as 5G networks and advanced monitoring systems. Furthermore, public policies need to keep up with the pace of change, regulating the use of emerging technologies to ensure security and efficiency.

The public transport of the future will depend on the ability of cities to incorporate these innovations in an inclusive way, promoting broader and more sustainable access for the population.

Coping with Climate Change and Sustainability

Public transport plays a crucial role in tackling climate change. By reducing dependence on individual vehicles, it directly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are still challenges to making this sector more sustainable.

Measures to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Public Transport

• The replacement of diesel-powered buses with electric or hybrid vehicles has shown significant results in several Brazilian capitals. For example, in São Paulo, the city's electric fleet already avoids the emission of around 9 thousand tons of CO₂ per year.
• The implementation of BRT corridors also reduces congestion, optimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions.

Incentive Policies for the Use of Renewable Energy

• Some cities are implementing fleets powered by biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are cleaner alternatives.
• In Curitiba, a pilot project uses solar-powered buses, powered by photovoltaic stations installed in garages. This model can be expanded to other regions, depending on government incentives and partnerships with the private sector.

The use of renewable energy in public transport not only reduces environmental impacts, but also promotes greater energy independence in the long term.

Community Participation and Social Control

Popular participation is essential to improve management and transparency in public transport. When the community is heard, the solutions implemented better reflect the real needs of users.

Importance of Popular Participation in Transport Management

• Community forums, public consultations and applications for collecting suggestions help identify the main problems faced by passengers, such as delays and overcrowding.
• In Belo Horizonte, the “Participatory Transport” project allows users to vote on priorities for system improvements, from expanding lines to fare adjustments.

Social Control and Transparency Tools

• The dissemination of data on public platforms, such as timetables, revenues and operating costs, allows society to monitor and evaluate the performance of public transport.
• Tools like the app “My Transport”developed in Recife, offer service evaluation reports directly by passengers, helping to monitor and demand improvements.

With social control mechanisms and policies to encourage participation, public transport can become more efficient, accessible and aligned with the population's expectations.

References

1. IBGE: More than 65% of Brazilians use public transport in large cities. Brazilian Yearbook
2. IEMA: Report on pollutant emissions in urban transport. Energy and Environment
3. São Paulo City Hall: Metro expansion and multimodal integration.
4. ITDP Brazil: Good practices in sustainable mobility.
5. Moovit Insights: Public transport usage data in Brazil.

These references strengthen the basis of the content and offer complementary materials for readers interested in exploring more about the topic.