The Circle of Mobility: Line 0 and the Metrobus

This year, the Mexico City government has been adamant about innovating in the Metrobús to improve its services and quality. Recently, the government announced details on the new Metrobús lines that will follow Circuito Interior. The project was announced last July to connect 10 municipalities within Mexico City so around 258,000 daily passengers can move around, reported MBN. This year, Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico City Mayor, explained through a virtual conference that so far, the city has done a conceptual study, which derives from an analysis to properly estimate the user demand and the number of stations that the project requires, reports El Economista.

This study will allow for the infrastructure project to be fully developed and for construction to start in 2022. “ It would be a Metrobús that would go on the right side of Circuito Interior, similar to Line 4 that goes from Buenavista to San Lazaro. It will not go through the central lanes and will replace the transport corridors that go through there currently,” Sheinbaum announced, according to El Economista.

The new line will connect the municipalities of Benito Juarez, Cuauhtemoc, Coyoacan, Iztapalapa, Iztacalco, Venustiano Carranza, Gustavo A. Madero, Miguel Hidalgo, Azcapotzalco and Alvaro Obregon, reported El Economista. As of now, she detailed, the project is being called Line 0 and will connect to many more Metrobus lines and Collective Transport System (STC) Metro lines. “We call it Line 0, because it will travel in a circle. It offers a great advantage is it allows for great connectivity with other lines,” Sheinbaum announced, according to El Economista. The project aims to reduce the city’s environmental impact while creating a public benefit.

To improve the Metrobús service, back in January 2021, the Ministry of Mobility (SEMOVI) and the Ministry of Citizen Security (SSC) developed a new project for Metrobús operators to drive more safely. A new service will be used to monitor Metrobús drivers, in case they break any law while driving, so SEMOVI can give them a fine or sanction if necessary, reported Milenio. Reports can be filed through four main mechanisms: social media, with in-location supervisors, through random supervision and via security cameras inside vehicles. The SSC also said drivers can lose their license if they are too irresponsible. So far, the system has reported 30 infractions, including ignoring red lights, speeding, phone use while driving, crosswalk invasion, among others, reports Milenio.