Skip to main content

Mobility for Mexico

Urban mobility is high on the infrastructure agenda in Mexico. While highways continue to be a priority, capital Mexico City and other large cities across the country are looking to implement mass transport systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.
May 3, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Urban mobility is high on the infrastructure agenda in Mexico. While highways continue to be a priority, capital Mexico City and other large cities across the country are looking to implement mass transport systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. At the heart of Mexico City's transport policy is a contradiction that is typical of the country as a whole. The government is spending big on line 12 of the metro system and has introduced the first Metrobús BRT line in the country, but continues to concession the construction and operation of large tollroads, including the controversial Supervía Sur-Poniente highway.

Business News Americas spoke with Salvador Herrera, executive director of the 4182 Centre for Sustainable Transport (CTS), a non-profit organisation supporting sustainable transport, about the elements of a sustainable transport system, the structural limitations affecting policy implementation and Mexico City's addiction to the car. Herrera said, "The most important topic for 2012 will be the creation of an integrated public policy that benefits both mobility and urban development."

Mexico’s big cities face mobility challenges, including the construction of more highways and improved public transport. Herrera said, “The centre's focus is on an integrated transport system. For the last few decades the country has focused on infrastructure dedicated to the car. We want to challenge this paradigm so that infrastructure is directed at different forms of mobility. This includes prioritising modes of transport that contaminate less, and move more people in a safe and efficient manner.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IRF Manifesto on Climate Change Adaptation released at COP22
    January 30, 2017
    Released in Morocco during COP22 negotiations, the document has generated enthusiasm in the sector and gained the support of partner organisations beside the endorsement from IRF Geneva membership around the world Under the leadership of the Moroccan Government, adaptation and action on adaptation has gained centre stage at COP22 hosted in Marrakech from 8 to 18 November 2016. As climate change and the threats its poses become increasingly apparent, it is also becoming clear that the transport sector is
  • Tackling Indian road safety
    December 5, 2012
    India’s road safety record is the world’s worst but there are plans to tackle the problems. Patrick Smith reports from New Delhi. A speeded up video of a short section of road in the Indian capital Delhi was followed by a question. “How many infringements did you count in that 25-second clip on a typical day in Delhi,” asked Dr Rohit Baluja, a question that brought understandable silence. It equated to hundreds of millions of infringements each year, said Dr Baluja, president, Institute of Road Traffic Educ
  • Active travel can drive urban economic growth and save health funds
    November 7, 2012
    Experts in health, city planning, environment and transport from Europe and the United States, including several local authorities, stressed how active travel can drive urban economic growth and save public health funds during a recent prestigious workshop event in Brussels, Belgium. Integrating health aspects in transportation planning was the focus of The Polis Environment & Health working group meeting at the European Economic and Social committee on 30th October. The event gathered experts from organisa
  • Wrong time to end right turns?
    March 15, 2024
    Banning right-hand turns after stopping for a red light is gaining momentum in the US. But debate continues about whether it will result in fewer incidents between vehicles and alternative mobility users. David Arminas reports.