rio transport- strategies and impacts

Question 1

Improve bus services

Answer 1

An efficient and popular bus service covering all areas of the city that is within the price range for the majority of people at $0.50 per journey

However, an illegal van service operates on these same popular routes, charging the same prices

The government is currently trying to boycott the service as it is believed they are partially responsible for the congestion of roads

Question 2

Build new motorways and bridges across the bay

Answer 2

Motorways are built as a way of easing traffic congestion and providing alternative routes for people travelling long distances

Tolls charged for use of these roads by private companies allow authorities to spend money on developing projects elsewhere

However, these roads that are supposed to make long journeys shorter have actually been part of the cause of traffic congestion with so many private cars using them

Question 3

Improve the metro system

Answer 3

Rios metro system has been open since 1979, over 40 years. It has 24 stations on two lines totalling 25 kilometres

The new plans in place to expand the current metro system would extend into tourist areas and reduce the number of buses on the roads, and build a new rail from city center to suburbs

However, the system only accounts for 5% of all journeys in Rio. The plans in place to increase the network to 75km would cost $2.1 billion

Question 4

Installation of cable cars

Answer 4

Cable cars were installed in 2012 to travel between six stations across the Complexo do Alemao favela

This cuts the journey across the favela from 2 hours to 16 minutes, with locals having 1 free return ticket every day. They can hold 30,000 per day and is much cheaper than the bus

However, there is just one route on the cable cars, and this is the only favela with them. The project was also carried out without much consideration toward the residents, as they weren’t properly consulted