The Rio de Janeiro City Hall has signed contracts for a new bus system that will commence operations in July, beginning in the neighborhoods of Campo Grande and Santa Cruz.
The City Hall of Rio de Janeiro has recently signed contracts for the first phase of the Sistema RIO — Rede Integrada de Ônibus, a new integrated bus system. The operation is set to begin in July in the neighborhoods of Campo Grande and Santa Cruz, which are located in the West Zone of the city. This initiative aims to improve public transportation in the area significantly, with plans for 316 vehicles to operate in these regions, marking an increase from the current 104 buses.
The signing ceremony took place at the Palácio da Cidade, attended by prominent city officials including the mayor Eduardo Paes, the vice-mayor Eduardo Cavaliere, and the municipal secretary of transportation, Maína Celidonio. The contract was awarded to Comporte Participações S.A., the company that won the bidding process to deliver the new fleet. In addition to the initial 169 buses expected to start service in July, another 147 buses will be added to the system in September, reinforcing the city's commitment to enhancing public transport.
This initiative reflects a broader commitment made by the city government during the 2024 elections, aiming to revitalize the public transport infrastructure in Rio, similar to the upgrades made to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The implementation of the new bus fleet is a significant step towards improving the quality and efficiency of public transportation, potentially leading to better connectivity and mobility for residents in the West Zone and beyond.
