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

  • Kenya moves ahead with double-decker road to address costly city traffic jams
    December 11, 2013
    New double deck roads could cut congestion in Kenyan capital Nairobi – Shem Oirere reports Arapid increase in urban population and diminishing land for infrastructure expansion has forced Kenya to devise ways of addressing the worsening human and vehicular traffic problems in its capital Nairobi. The country national highways agency recently announced progress in the planned construction of the country’s first double-decker highway.
  • Major Central American infrastructure projects
    February 23, 2012
    Mexico and Central America are home to some of the world's most spectacular infrastructure projects as Patrick Smith reports
  • Solving the Nation’s Roadwork Crisis with Greater Industry Collaboration
    December 31, 2024
    Nick Smee, Business Unit Director of Infrastructure at Causeway, discusses roadworks for the UK.
  • Eurobitume Congress: Prague promises
    June 22, 2016
    Held every four years, the Eurasphalt and Eurobitume congresses have a reputation for revealing developments that will shape the future of bitumen use on Europe’s roads. This year’s event in Prague promises to uphold that reputation. By Kristina Smith The list of locations for the Eurobitume and Eurasphalt (E&E) Congresses reads like a traveller’s dream itinerary: Strasbourg, Barcelona, Vienna, Copenhagen, Istanbul. Now the beautiful city of Prague has been added to the list. Between 1-3 June, presenter