Delivery of the Metropolitan BRT system revolutionizes mobility in the Metropolitan Region of Belém
The Government of Pará delivers modern infrastructure that generates over a thousand jobs and ensures a single fare and sustainability for millions of residents of Pará
The Government of Pará delivered, on the morning of this Friday (31), the Metropolitan BRT public transport system and the new terminals in Marituba and Ananindeua. The urban mobility project represents a milestone in the quality of life for over 700 thousand residents of Pará. The delivery of the infrastructure, which includes modern terminals and a fleet of 265 new buses, marks the beginning of a new era for commuting between the capital and neighboring municipalities, offering more comfort, safety, and speed to the population.
The main innovation of the system is the fare integration, which allows passengers to use different lines, including feeder and trunk lines, paying only one fare. The fare is the same as that applied in the capital and the metropolitan region: R$ 4.60, with a half-fare of R$ 2.30 for students; in addition to free rides on Sundays and holidays.
The system was designed to serve residents of Marituba, Ananindeua, Benevides, Santa Bárbara, Santa Izabel, and Castanhal. Passengers departing from Castanhal, for example, heading to the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), will pay only R$ 4.60 for the entire journey. Previously, to cover the nearly 80 kilometers, it was necessary to spend R$ 14.
According to Governor Helder Barbalho, the change represents more than just a saving of time and money.
“This represents revolution, modernization, less time wasted. People can stop spending hours on the bus, can spend time with family, can get home earlier, can sleep a little later because they don’t need to wake up early and compete for a spot at a bus stop. We are advancing to improve life, to improve public services for society.”
The governor of Pará expressed special thanks to the population of the Metropolitan Region for their patience and understanding during the construction period, which was described as "deeply difficult" and "problematic," due to the need to intervene in the only entry and exit route of the capital. "I know how much the population had to exercise patience to tolerate, to endure. [...] This is behind us now, and now it’s time to enjoy, because the house is ready and the new public transport system is a reality for public transport for those of us who live in the state of Pará," he declared.
The expectation of improvement in daily life is shared by users. Roselene Silva, a 43-year-old nursing technician and resident of Marituba, expressed her satisfaction. "It’s a project that has added a lot for us residents of Marituba, public transport users. We will save a lot because we will pay only one fare," she stated.
The vice-governor of Pará, Hana Ghassan, also highlighted the magnitude of the project.
"This is not just any project. It represents more quality of life for over 700 thousand residents of Pará," she emphasized.
According to the vice-governor, the project, which required resilience and courage to move forward, also boosts the local economy. The operation of the new system is responsible for the creation of 850 direct jobs and over a thousand indirect jobs, covering drivers, support staff, management, and services at the terminals.
Sustainability and Technology
The new fleet arrives with a strong focus on sustainability and technology. The digital ticketing system and the modern fleet ensure not only a reduction in pollution but also unprecedented comfort for drivers and passengers.
Erick Silva, a bus driver for 11 years, emphasized the improvement in working conditions. "The comfort we will have with the new buses, with air conditioning, will bring a great improvement for us, especially since they are electric and automatic, things that didn’t exist in the state, even better."
The new transport system begins its assisted operation gradually, with detailed communication about lines and routes being disseminated through digital media and the press, ensuring that the population can acclimate to the new mode.
Partnerships and Thanks
The realization of the project was the result of a broad institutional partnership. Governor Helder Barbalho made a point of publicly thanking all those involved, highlighting the collaboration of the Federal Government, through President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Ministers Jader Filho (Cities) and Rui Costa (Civil House), who enabled the financing of the vehicles.
The partnership extended to the State Legislative Assembly (Alepa), which facilitated a loan with JAICA (Japan's development agency). The governor also thanked the presence and support of the mayors of the cities that make up the BRT system: Hélio Leite (Castanhal), Neneco Tavares (Santa Isabel do Pará), Marcão Colares (Santa Bárbara do Pará), Mayor Patrícia Alencar (Marituba), Mayor Luziane Solon of Benevides (represented at the time by Vice Mayor Edivana Lima), as well as the Mayor of Belém, Igor Normando, and Vice Mayor Cássio Andrade.
Also mentioned and thanked were the present councilors, the state bus drivers' union, and, on behalf of the deputies Chicão (president of Alepa), Eliel Faustino, Dirceu Ten Caten, and Fábio Figueira, the entire Legislative Assembly for their partnership. Finally, the governor expressed his recognition to the workers of the road system and the construction workers who executed the works.
Text: Bianca Leão
