Brazil’s Minister of Regional Development says he has US$1.3 billion to invest in urban mobility

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Minister of Regional Development Rogério Marinho said on September 20 that the government has R$7 (US$1.3) billion in funds to be invested in urban mobility, and that public transport is the “most important vector” in this sector, as an alternative for the transportation of people.

The statement was made during the online opening of Mobility Week, which runs through Friday, September 24. Measures to boost the development of cycling infrastructure projects are expected to be announced during the course of this week.

“We have over R$7 billion in investments, but as a result of the pandemic it was very difficult to maintain transport services in mid-sized and large cities, as the flow of people decreased, affecting the economic and financial balance of concessions across the country,” Marinho said.

In his address, the Minister recalled that the mobility issue is transversal, encompassing not only people’s transportation, but also investments in cities’ infrastructure, in innovation, in technology, as well as in the search for cheaper and safer transportation, “in terms of public or autonomous means, as is the case of bicycle lanes,” he said while highlighting the need for more partnerships between states, municipalities, and the federal government.

Marinho pointed out that since the 1950s Brazil initiated a change that ultimately altered the country’s profile, with its rural populations moving closer to cities, leading to an increase in commuting demands.

“Public transportation is undoubtedly the most important vector in this change process, coupled with the fact that we need to work on the environment and sustainability issues,” the Minister said.

In this respect, the Minister added that the discussions promoted throughout the week will seek “transportation alternatives linked to bicycle lanes; transportation circulation corridors; gas-powered buses; electric buses, surface subways, VRTs (trams), BRTs (buses); interventions in urban areas, in order to allow a better traffic flow; and smart cities, which allow a rational and healthy management of the cities’ traffic through cameras and apps.”

At the end of the opening ceremony, Marinho signed several cabinet agreements related to the implementation of the “Avançar Cidades” program, which provides financial support to cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, in the cities of Goiânia and Almirante Tamandaré, and to the concession of rail transportation lines in São Paulo.

ADVISORY FORUM

A decree published yesterday by President Jair Bolsonaro in the Federal Gazette created the Urban Mobility Advisory Forum, linked to the Ministry of Regional Development.

The new forum comprises 12 members, including representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the National Mayors Forum, and the National Confederation of Transportation Secretaries, among others. The body will fall under the National Secretariat for Regional and Urban Development.