Transport policy in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte: the role of Metrobel

Abstract

The article analyses a few problems related to the public transportation policies of the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area, from 1980, with the creation of Metrobel, an agency in charge of planning and managing all transportation services in the area. A historical outline is presented from the time of the decision-making process leading to the agencies foundation, moving on to its first administration (1980-1982), then to the period 1983-1986 when the agency seems firmly established.

On the other hand, the authors emphasize the main projects implemented by Metrobel, and show the deep changes they produced in the region's mass transportation system. They also show private entrepreneurs reacted to the changes brought about by the new projects and policies.

The article calls special attention to Metrobel's functioning structure, an unprecedented institutional innovation in the field of public transportation organization in Brazil. It is a public agency planned to be financially self-sustaining but which, unlike most, does not directly provide public service, but only manages and plans all kinds of mass transportation services which are carried out through concessions given to private enterprises.

The authors finally analyse problems faced by Metrobel and how it deals with pressures and counterpressures impinging upon it stemming from both public and private sectors. A heavy strain is put upon Metrobel's capacity to promote adequate policies and measures to solve mass transportation problems and thus improve its public image, by conflicting demands from the government and private entrepreneurs alike. At the same time Metrobel must struggle to keep the whole transportation system financially balanced, sound and in good operating conditions, a task far from easy to accomplish.