Efficient public transportation systems in Latin America and the Caribbean are proving to be crucial for job accessibility and economic growth. Many individuals, like Simone da Conceição, a cleaner at a hospital in São Paulo, rely on these systems to reach their workplaces. "If this metro line didn’t exist, living where I do, I wouldn’t be able to work at this hospital," she states.
In São Paulo alone, 58 percent of passengers on metro Line 5 come from low-income households. The World Bank is actively involved in enhancing these systems across various countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. More than US$3.5 billion has been invested in these regions to improve public transport infrastructure.
Luis Alberto Herrera from Lima highlights the daily struggles with traffic congestion: “When you want to get to work and traffic is bad, it’s terrible." Traffic delays cost Lima residents an estimated US$1,026 annually per person according to the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. The expansion of Lima's bus rapid transit system has made significant strides by connecting low-income neighborhoods with economic hubs.
Similar projects have shown success in Buenos Aires where investments in the Metrobus system reduced travel time by up to 53 percent between 2016 and 2023. The World Bank collaborates with both governments and private sectors for such developments. An example is São Paulo’s metro Line 4 which represents Brazil's first public-private partnership (PPP) for a metro line.
Safety remains a priority as highlighted by Marina Sosa from La Matanza who values feeling secure while using public transport: “Getting to the university quickly is important but what matters most to me is feeling safe.” In Buenos Aires' Mitre railway line modernization project over 130,000 passengers benefited from improved safety measures as of June 2024.
Quito's new metro system launched in 2023 has transformed urban mobility significantly increasing access to jobs within a short commute time. Satisfaction rates among users regarding service quality and safety are notably high with over 90 percent satisfaction concerning protection against harassment.
World Bank initiatives also focus on sustainability; Rio de Janeiro now operates energy-efficient trains that consume less energy while several cities pilot electric public transport projects aiming for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality.
These efforts underscore a shift towards more inclusive sustainable urban environments across Latin America promising broader opportunities for all residents.