Traffic congestion in São Paulo is indeed worsening, with daily vehicle counts reaching between 6 to 7 million. New registrations for vehicles remain high, with 1,200 to 1,300 new models hitting the streets each day, yet the road infrastructure is unable to keep pace with rising demand. This growing congestion is alarming, especially as it reflects a trend where individual vehicle use has surpassed public transport for daily commutes, according to the latest 2023 Origin and Destination survey from the Metro.

This survey revealed a significant shift: in 2023, 51.2% of daily trips were made using cars, trucks, taxis, app-based vehicles, and motorcycles, compared to 48.8% who used buses, trains, and subways. This stands in stark contrast to the 2017 data, where public transport was favored by a larger margin at 54.1%. The trend signifies a troubling decline in public transit use, which may have far-reaching implications for urban planning and environmental sustainability in São Paulo.

Moreover, despite a brief reduction in congestion noted in 2023, the overall trajectory is upward, with increasing travel times year after year since 2020. The authorities will need to address these issues proactively to avert returning to the severe traffic conditions experienced in 2019, which could have dire consequences for the city's economy and the quality of life of its residents.