US$ 320 million IDB boost for Colombian public transport

The Inter-American Development Bank has announced a US$ 320 million loan to Colombia to upgrade the public transport infrastructure of four cities.

The financing will focus on urban transport infrastructure in the cities of Pasto, Popayán, Armenia and San Marta and will be directed towards mass passenger transport systems. Part of the project will see money spent on better usage of existing infrastructure, but there will also be substantial new build work.

According to the IDB, the construction aspects of the projects will see some 103 km of roads built, along with other infrastructure such as terminal buildings, stops and rail tracks. Money will also be spent on improving maintenance facilities, control centres and traffic management systems.

Project leader Miroslava Nevo said, "The way the urban transport system works impacts on urban competitiveness indices and economic productivity, and contributes to the perception of high living standards. This programme has the potential to be replicated in other intermediate cities in the region as was the case with the Bus Rapid Transit in Colombia."

The work will be co-ordinated by Colombia's Transportation Ministry.