The importance of thinking of rails for mobility

Roberta Marchesi*

ANPTrilhos – National Association of Passenger Rail Operators – gathers the rail passenger transport system operators to act in order to develop and improve the metrorail network in Brazil.

In view of the importance of rail transport for the citizen and for the mobility in our cities, ANPTrilhos defends its inclusion as a priority in public policies that will guide the management of municipal and state governments. There is no project and works on rail transport that does not have a strategic and fundamental feature.

The rail passenger transport systems are structuring pieces of urban mobility and its integration to other means of transportation guarantees the efficiency of city’s mobility. Fast, regular, safe and without emissions, the track systems contributes significantly for life quality of the citizens who arrive faster at their destinies and may enjoy more time for leisure and family.

Besides the increase of mobility, the transport on tracks generates other opportunities such as urban revitalization and the densification of areas, this way exerting relevant role in the development of cities. The transport availability amplifies the interest for the occupation of areas where people know there is an efficient system that comply with one’s movements.

It is essential that governments include in their agendas effective action of urban mobility as a priority. It is necessary to take an innovative public policy to leave an important legacy to the citizens.

ANPTrilhos makes its part contributing to the reflection on the matter and aiding on the starting point for thinking of urban mobility on tracks. The Association makes available in its website the most recent publication: “How to insert tracks in the Mobility Plan”. The paper views on guiding the society and government members at including the rail transportation in the Urban Mobility Plan of its cities, presenting guidance, specifications and example of how to create a successful plan.

Click here and download the document “How to insert tracks in the Mobility Plan” in Portuguese.

* Roberta Marchesi is superintendent of the National Association of Passenger Rail Operators (ANPTrilhos)