Bogotà

In Bogotà, 80% of the 7 million inhabitants use public transport to get around. 28,000 older buses used to crawl through the streets of Bogotà at a commercial speed of 8 km/h. The average journey for a passenger was 1 hour 30 minutes. More than 3,000 traffic accidents involving buses caused the deaths of 800 people each year. In order to deal with this chaotic situation, the Bogota authorities called in experts to set up a huge new system to structure and rationalize public transport.

During this enquiry, three aims were targeted:

• Free up the super-congested urban environment.
• Increase use of public transport.
• Improve its performance and image.

Under the leadership of the district of Bogotà, Veolia Transport, part of the operators' consortium, took part in the rejuvenation of the city. Veolia Transport brought its worldwide knowledge and expertise to help the organizing authority run the BRT.

• The completion of 230 km of cycle paths.
• The rehabilitation of 300,000 m2 of pavement.
• Thousands of trees planted.
• The restriction of private car use during rush hours.

• Construction at ground level of a central 4-lane corridor for exclusive use of articulated buses.
• Creation of stations with an enclosed central platform, only accessible to pedestrians via walkways.
• Automatic real-time information system alerting passengers to imminent arrivals and destinations served.