Brazilian President outlines £16bn transport investment

Date: 25/6/2013

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has announced a wave of reforms in a bid to address the demands of protesters who have taken to the country's streets in their droves in recent weeks, with £16 billion to be set aside for transport funding as part of efforts to quell the unrest.  

Demonstrations were sparked when it was announced that bus fares were set to increase, but the campaigns evolved as residents aired their dissatisfaction with the money being ploughed into preparing the nation for next year's Fifa World Cup.

Indeed, activists argue that finances should instead be invested in areas of the country where high numbers of people live in poverty, with the President now making efforts to respond to the protesters' grievances.

Members of the Free Pass Movement have called on Brazil's Government to introduce a system that enables all residents to travel for free on public transport, with a statement posted on their website emphasising the need for a universally accessible system.

"Transport should be treated as a social right," it said. "It can only be public if it is accessible to all."

Ms Rousseff explained that she was prepared to speak to leaders of campaign groups in an attempt to move Brazil forward and bring an end to the disruption caused by mass demonstrations.

"I want to propose a debate on calling a referendum that would authorise the operating of a constituent process specifically for implementing the political reform the country needs so badly," she said. "Brazil is ready to advance, and it has made clear it does not want to stay where it is."

In addition to transport reforms, the President revealed she is ready to invest more money in education and urban mobility projects as the Government tries to find a suitable solution to address the complaints of the population.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News