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Press Release: First Bus Rapid Transit System in Argentina Launches in Buenos Aires


Dedicated Bus Lanes Set to Increase Public Transportation Use and Reduce Emissions

Buenos Aires, Argentina — Buenos Aires, a member of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, announced that a network of dedicated bus lanes — the first in Argentina — went into operation today. The bus rapid transit (BRT) system includes 12.5 kilometers of bus lanes that are estimated to increase public transportation use by up to 15% in the areas it serves. The BRT system will reduce fuel use by buses in the city by 30% and related CO2 emissions, thereby improving air quality. It will also reduce peak hour travel time by 40% for over two million passengers each month, once complete.

The BRT system will start operations with 45i standard diesel buses connecting Liniers Train Station in the west of the city and the neighborhood of Palermo, with various stops along Juan B. Justo Avenue.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a program of the William J. Clinton Foundation, and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) are helping Buenos Aires to develop its BRT program by providing technical, financial and operational advice. CCI and ITDP provide such support in other cities around the world in order to improve their public transportation systems. Last year, the two organizations helped Johannesburg to successfully develop the first BRT system in Africa.

“The implementation of Metrobus in Buenos Aires, the first BRT corridor in Argentina, represents significant progress in the development of urban transportation, allowing for an increased quality of life of more than 100,000 people,” said Mauricio Macri, Major of the City of Buenos Aires. “Our main goal, as those responsible for urban planning, is to restore the quality of public transportation, for which the support of the Clinton Climate Initiative and ITDP has been crucial in the process of development and implementation of a world-class BRT system. In the coming years, based on the success of this first phase, we plan to continue the expansion of the BRT network in the City of Buenos Aires.”

“Road transportation accounts for 90% of all transportation emissions in Latin America, half of which are produced by passenger traffic,” said Stephen Crolius, Director, Transportation Program, Clinton Climate Initiative. “Bus rapid transit systems play an important role in addressing those emissions as they create dedicated bus lanes across cities, providing millions of people with a more cost and time efficient solution to using cars — resulting in fewer emissions and improved air quality. We congratulate Buenos Aires on its dedication and leadership in the delivery of its new BRT system.”

“In a remarkably short amount of time the City has helped improve conditions for walking downtown, dramatically increased the availability of high quality bike lanes, and provided a public bicycle system,” said Andrés Fingeret, Director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy’s Argentina office, and CCI City Director for Buenos Aires. “And now Metrobus will add another high quality transportation option that will get residents where they need to go, quickly, with less pollution and without getting stuck in traffic. We commend Buenos Aires on their continued commitment to sustainable mobility.”

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is an organization of large and engaged cities from around the world committed to implementing meaningful and sustainable climate-related policies locally that will help address climate change concerns globally. Cities play a central role in tackling climate issues so by fostering a shared sense of purpose, this network of determined cities is an effective forum to work together, share best practices, provide leadership on a local and global scale and have a meaningful impact. Through its participation in the C40, Buenos Aires has been able to access pro bono expertise from the CCI Cities Program. The two organizations recently announced an expanded alliance.

The fourth biennial C40 Summit will take place in Sao Paulo from May 31 to June 2, bringing together Mayors from leading cities around the world. For further information, please visit: www.c40saopaulosummit.com

About the C40/CCI Partnership:

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is an organization of large and engaged cities from around the world committed to implementing meaningful and sustainable climate-related policies locally that will help address climate change concerns globally. The current Chair, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, along with the ten-member Steering Committee of other C40 mayors, guides the work of C40 by planning and measuring the impact of local initiatives that reduce emissions from energy, waste, water supply and transport, and increase cities’ resilience to climate change. In 2006, the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a program of the William J. Clinton Foundation, was invited to become the delivery partner of the C40. CCI’s Cities’ Programs include building retrofits, outdoor lighting, waste management, low carbon transportation, new urban developments, and greenhouse gas measurement and reporting. At the invitation of city governments, CCI places city directors in participating C40 cities to help cities deliver programs in close collaboration with its program teams and expert partners. These resources allow CCI to provide C40 cities with pro bono support on project development, local relationships, and, importantly, the facilitation of knowledge — sharing among cities. In April 2011, the C40 and CCI’s Cities announced an expanded alliance between the two organizations. The C40/CCI Cities alliance brings significant resources and infrastructure that bolsters both the CCI and C40 organizations, making it one of the preeminent climate change action organizations in the world.

About the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy

Founded in 1985, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy promotes socially equitable and environmentally sustainable transportation worldwide. ITDP works alongside city governments and local advocacy groups to create projects that reduce poverty and pollution, and fight climate change.
www.itdp.org

i15 articulated buses and 30 regular 12 meter buses

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