Peru
Lima
UMR Index Rank
#66
(+1)
Score: 29%
Sustainable Mobility
#58
(+3)
Score: 35.0%
Public Transit
#56
(+3)
Score: 36.5%
Technology Adoption
#63
Score: 13.0%
| Population | 11.0 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 891 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 12,300 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 14,463 |
UMR Index Rank
#66
(+1)
Score: 29%
Sustainable Mobility
#58
(+3)
Score: 35.0%
Public Transit
#56
(+3)
Score: 36.5%
Technology Adoption
#63
Score: 13.0%
What Lima Does Well In Urban Mobility
The Peruvian capital boasts one of the highest public transit utilization rates in the index, with extensive bus and bus rapid transit networks and an autonomous metro that is undergoing expansion. In December 2023 the city completed the first phase of its new metro line 2. When fully complete, the line will include 27 stations across 10 districts and benefit more than a million inhabitants. In 2023, in collaboration with the federal government and the World Bank, Lima embarked on a 10-year investment program aimed at easing the city’s notorious congestion, improving road safety, and encouraging more walking, cycling, and use of public transit. In October 2024 the World Bank approved a $150 million loan to finance the first phase of the project.
Lima spends a comparatively high percentage of its GDP on infrastructure investments. Many of its residents work in the transportation business.
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 Lima's Transportation System
Lima lags behind other cities in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, with few dedicated paths and lanes. The city struggles with low enforcement of transport safety — meaning that pedestrians and cyclists often feel unsafe. While the city has a bike-sharing program, called City Bike Lima, it is restricted to the Miraflores district by the coast, limiting usability for most residents. In another positive measure, the city bans cars from much of its historical center on Sundays from 9 AM to 3 PM, resulting in 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) of temporarily pedestrian- and bikefriendly streets.
In the long term, the investment plan in collaboration with the World Bank is a step in the right direction for reducing congestion and improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The project will coordinate traffic lights at 500 intersections to improve traffic flow, make safety improvements at 300 high-risk intersections, and better enforce traffic rules.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Lima Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Lima can improve its cycling and walking infrastructure by investing more in maintaining existing facilities while accelerating construction of new bike lanes and pedestrian walkways, ideally with features like buffers from motorized transport. Lima can expand its bike-share program by constructing more stations in more neighborhoods and investing in both bikes and e-bikes. The city also can consider a subsidy plan to help residents purchase bikes and e-bikes.
To ease congestion, Lima can extend its plan for coordinated traffic lights beyond the intersections covered by the World Bank program. Optimizing signal timing can minimize the frequency and duration of stopand- go traffic. The city can better enforce traffic rules with increased security patrols and cameras to tackle issues like speeding, prohibited parking, and other infractions.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley