Transport management in Greater Belo Horizonte

Abstract

This paper analyzes the public transport system in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, especially what makes the current management structure ¿ which emphasizes the participation of small districts in detriment of the big cities and the state government ¿ not be more effective neither more democratic than previous administrations under the military regime. The paper presents a brief retrospect of the public transport management system since 1978, when the foundations of this new model were laid. Then it analyzes the impacts that the institutionalization of the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, as a consequence of the Constitution of 1988, had on the metropolitan public transport system. Finally, the paper discusses the logic that guides the leading actors in this institutional arena, as well as some of the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve a better performance.