Implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System in Colombia

Quality, cost, and accessibility of public transportation is a problematic issue in many developing countries. This paper summarizes the main aspects associated with implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in Colombia as a means of efficient public transportation in several cities of the country, including three (Bogotá D.C., Cali, and Barranquilla) of the four most populated cities (with population of over 1 million people). Implementation of the BRT systems benefited the cities in terms of: (i) improved operational conditions and administrative organization of the public transportation system, (ii) reduction in environmental pollution, (iii) enhancements in quality of life, and support of economical development, and (iv) improvement in safety. Despite these positive results, additional aspects identified in this paper to improve the Colombian BRT systems include: (i) further integration of the different transportation systems, (ii) implementation of advanced technologies for monitoring, assessing, and continuously adjusting the system, and (iii) modified relationship between land use and the transportation system.