Brazil
Sao Paulo
UMR Index Rank
#49
(+1)
Score: 38%
Sustainable Mobility
#45
(-3)
Score: 42.3%
Public Transit
#53
(-2)
Score: 41.6%
Technology Adoption
#50
Score: 25.8%
| Population | 22.8 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 3,649 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 6,250 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 15,962 |
UMR Index Rank
#49
(+1)
Score: 38%
Sustainable Mobility
#45
(-3)
Score: 42.3%
Public Transit
#53
(-2)
Score: 41.6%
Technology Adoption
#50
Score: 25.8%
What Sao Paulo Does Well In Urban Mobility
Sao Paulo offers a robust multimodal network, including the region’s largest urban rail network, and has bike-friendly rules for public transportation. The city has created bus corridors to reduce transit times and is planning to construct water terminals that will shorten travel time from southern Sao Paolo to downtown. Additionally, Sao Paulo is improving its rail and metro system. The city already started operation of Line 4, a fully automated and driverless metro line, in 2022, and is investing in new trains, line extensions, and stations, with public and private investment valued at R$45 billion ($8 billion). This will improve accessibility, efficiency, and station density by 2028.
Sao Paulo’s government has implemented policies to increase the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), including tax breaks and incentives. EV owners are exempted from the license plate rotation law that restricts the use of cars one day a week, and they pay only half of the vehicle property tax. Sao Paulo has benefitted from a nationwide initiative called MOVER that deploys financial incentives to enable the development of charging stations.
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 Sao Paulo’s Transportation System
Sao Paulo has undermaintained roads and limited cycling infrastructure, which leads to low cycling adoption. There has been concerted investment, however, with the city boasting more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) of cycle lanes in 2024, up from around 500 kilometers (311 miles) in 2022. Sao Paulo is home to startups aiming to improve cycling adoption, including a dockless bike-sharing service service, which would be the first of its kind in Brazil. The city is addressing current cycling challenges and transforming them into opportunities for improvement.
Residents complain of high levels of noise and light pollution associated with the city’s relatively high traffic congestion. To address this issue, officials have implemented various policies to regulate noise in public spaces and at night, but additional efforts are needed.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Sao Paulo Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Sao Paulo can do more to promote active mobility, especially by improving pedestrian walkways and promoting cycling adoption. Aside from investing more in infrastructure, the city can also invest more to subsidize bike-sharing offerings and support companies developing and providing services.
Sao Paulo can improve the affordability of its public transit. By reducing fares or providing subsidies, the authorities can make transit offerings more affordable for residents. Additionally, Sao Paulo’s transport ranks low in perceived safety. Implementing more surveillance measures like security cameras, increasing security presence, and improving lighting on transit and at stations can help improve residents’ feeling of safety.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley