Inserting bus rapid transit into an existing transportation system: the Mexico City experience

In 2005, Mexico City introduced MetroBus, a single BRT line along Avienda de Insurgentes, the main north-south artery through the capital. The line has been well received, attracting more than a quarter million riders every weekday. This single line has connections to suburban trains, the metro system and both the public and private bus systems. This paper reports on a survey of BRT passengers that focused on how MetroBus trips have been integrated with other transportation modes, how the cost of MetroBus compared with total trip costs, general service quality, and desired new routes. It also highlights how BRT can be used in conjunction with other mass transit options to facilitate travel in even the most congested cities, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.