Argentina
Buenos Aires
UMR Index Rank
#50
(-2)
Score: 38%
Sustainable Mobility
#38
(+1)
Score: 44.1%
Public Transit
#45
(-11)
Score: 44.4%
Technology Adoption
#59
Score: 18.9%
| Population | 15.7 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 3,437 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 4,563 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 11,400 |
UMR Index Rank
#50
(-2)
Score: 38%
Sustainable Mobility
#38
(+1)
Score: 44.1%
Public Transit
#45
(-11)
Score: 44.4%
Technology Adoption
#59
Score: 18.9%
What Buenos Aires Does Well In Urban Mobility
Buenos Aires has among the highest public transit utilization rates in the region, partly thanks to its variety of public transit modes. The creation of seven corridors of exclusive bus lanes during the last decade has reduced commuting times by as much as half and decreased carbon emissions.
The Argentinian capital is a regional leader in cycling infrastructure and adoption, with 250 kilometers (155 miles) of bike lanes as of 2020. Cycling adoption is higher than in regional peers such as Sao Paulo and Santiago. Buenos Aires also offers a public bike-sharing system called Ecobici. The program has over 3,000 bicycles across 30 neighborhoods and is free for up to four 30-minute trips a day from Monday to Friday.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Buenos Aires’ Transportation System
Transit station density is low mainly due to the city’s vast surface area. Plans to expand public transit stations have faced setbacks. For example, a Subte underground system with a new automated line was canceled in 2022 after stalling for more than 20 years. While the city has managed to extend some existing lines and add 14 new stations since 2010, issues with station density and consequent efficiency in public transit persist. Argentina also has suffered significant inflation, which has reduced the affordability of public transit.
Like other cities in Latin America, Buenos Aires lags in its supply-chain infrastructure and services. The United Nations Trade and Development and the Port Training Center of Argentina have been providing training and capacity building to improve logistics management, including for Buenos Aires’ port. While this is a positive step, other areas of the city would also benefit from investments in supply chains.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Buenos Aires Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Buenos Aires has struggled to enforce transport safety and has low levels of perceived safety. The city can invest more in measures such as surveillance by security cameras or police enforcement, better lighting at stations, regular maintenance, and a public awareness campaign.
Buenos Aires can improve its public transit offering by investing in its public station density. While expanding the metro and rail network will be key in the long term, focusing on adding more bus stops and bus routes can be a cost-effective and quicker way to increase the density of public transit stations. Additionally, investing in the existing multimodal app BA Cómo Llego can improve public transit accessibility. The app already provides real- time information on schedules, availability, and estimated arrival times, but Buenos Aires also can add a direct payment feature.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley