Averse to sensationalism, Haddad uses R$ 1,7 billion in corridors

247 - Without resorting to sensationalist tactics, Mayor Fernando Haddad is tackling a central problem in the country's largest city – transportation – with a multi-billion dollar budget and a fixed idea: bus lanes. He canceled a tender for the renewal of the capital's bus fleet, scheduled for the end of the first semester, but, still in July, opened a public consultation for the construction of nine bus lanes. The City Hall will receive approximately R$ 1,7 billion in federal aid, within the PAC – Growth Acceleration Plan.

The mayor is acting in the right direction. Research released today shows that 61% of São Paulo residents would prefer to use the public transportation system instead of their own car. Switching modes of transportation would also help solve another long-standing problem in the city: air pollution. Bus lanes, for their part, represent time savings in commutes.

Most of the projects were already planned in the current administration's Goals Plan, but were brought forward in response to the demand for improved urban mobility in the city. Among the projects included are the corridors on Celso Garcia Avenue, in the east zone, and 23 de Maio Avenue, in the south zone. Peripheral areas with limited public transport are also included. In the Grajaú region, in the south zone, the Cocaia Corridor will be built, passing through Belmira Marin Avenue, one of the most congested in the municipality, among other roads that cross populous neighborhoods in the south zone. In the far east, the São Miguel Corridor will pass through Águia de Haia Avenue. 

Earlier, at the end of April, the mayor of São Paulo had signed contracts worth R$ 1,43 billion for the construction of bus corridors in the city's outskirts. The contracts included some of the largest construction companies in the country, such as OAS, Andrade Gutierrez, and Construtora Gomes Lourenço.

In the eastern zone, for the construction of 17 kilometers of exclusive lanes on the Radial Leste highway, the municipal administration will have to expropriate entire city blocks in some areas, in addition to widening roads and sidewalks. In total, the municipal executive branch plans to deliver 147 km of bus corridors and 12 bus terminals by June 2016.

In this first phase of the project, 12,1 km of corridors are also being built between the Vila Sônia and Campo Limpo regions, and the 14 km Inajar de Souza corridor is being renovated. Also included in the package are the construction of a road complex providing access to the future Jardim Ângela terminal, for R$ 154 million, and the construction of the terminal itself, in an area of ​​74 square meters, for R$ 307,6 million.

Traffic: 61% of São Paulo residents are willing to leave their cars at home.

National

Agency Brazil

São Paulo - The number of São Paulo residents willing not to use their car, if there is a good public transport alternative, increased from 44% in 2012 to 61% this year, according to the seventh survey on Urban Mobility by Rede Nossa São Paulo and Ibope released today (16).

According to the survey, 27% of respondents use a car every day (in 2012, it was 23%). Furthermore, residents of São Paulo spend an average of two hours and fifteen minutes daily in traffic, and 69% rate the city's traffic as bad or terrible.

The research also shows that interest in recreational bike lanes has decreased. In 2012, 67% said they would use the dedicated bike lanes on Sundays and holidays. This year, that percentage has fallen to 60%.

The recent exclusive bus lanes were approved by respondents: 93% said they were in favor of the measure. Approval among São Paulo residents also increased for controversial measures to improve traffic in the city, such as urban tolls (from 17% in 2012 to 27% in 2013); two-day vehicle rotation restrictions (from 37% in 2012 to 49% in 2013); and even fines for pedestrians (from 34% in 2012 to 54% in 2013).

Regarding the recent demonstrations across the country, 58% said they were in favor, as long as there was no disruption to traffic, and 34% were in favor even if they caused interruptions and congestion in the city.

Regarding the cost of public transportation, 56% advocated for an intermediate fare (half the fare paid by the user and the remainder by the government), 34% favored a zero fare (fully subsidized by the government), and 7% opted for a full fare (fully paid by the user). Regarding the zero fare, 46% said it was a possible and viable measure for everyone. For 29%, the benefit should only apply to students and the unemployed, and 21% consider the measure unfeasible.

Of all those interviewed, 53% were against raising gasoline prices to subsidize the fare reduction, while 45% were in favor. Among those who do not use cars, the result is the opposite: 53% in favor and 41% against.

The research also identified the most problematic areas of the city: Health has maintained first place since 2008, followed by education and public safety. Traffic and public transportation came in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Edited by: Talita Cavalcante