Transportation Policies in Bogota, Colombia: Building a Transportation System for the People

Innovative policies implemented in Bogota, Colombia, during the 3-year (1998-2000) administration of Mayor Enrique Peñalosa were intended to transform a car-centered transportation system into a people-oriented one. To achieve this, the administration established policies in seven areas: institutional strengthening, restraining private car use, public space, mass transit, nonmotorized transport, road maintenance, and traffic management. Bogota’s transportation system was to become more people friendly by emphasizing the construction of busways and bike paths and by clearing sidewalks of parked cars and street vendors. Moreover, the administration took the lead in taking space away from cars. Success is difficult to appraise given the short time elapsed. What is clear, however, is that people supported the measures once they saw results, and the mayor left office with a record approval rating. The busway project, Transmilenio, is the prime example. Decisive and persistent leadership, political will, and strong institutions were the critical factors contributing to success.