Everyday is Earth Day in Bogotá, Colombia…
… Well, not quite but I just read an excellent article about Bogotá’s new TransMilenio bus system put out by GOOD Magazine in this months transportation issue. The development of the TransMilenio bus system has played a pivotal role in transforming Bogotá from a “traffic-choked mess to a model of sustainable urban development.” Amazingly, the first phase of this enormous project took only 18 months for Bogotá’s then major to get up and running!
I think the most thought-provoking statement made in the article is this: “A city in a country that most Americans associate only with Pablo Escobar and Juan Valdez is now running the most modern, high-tech bus system in the Western Hemisphere. As you step aboard your first TransMilenio vehicle, it hits you pretty quickly: When it comes to buses, the United States is a Third World nation.” Personally, I think this is a huge statement to make and something to really think about.
Congrats to Bogotá for bringing sexy back to the bus, or rather, creating sexy where sexy did not exist. I’m proud to see Latin America really stepping up to the plate in our global fight against pollution and degradation of our planet.
Happy Earth Day to all!
To read the full article, click here. Beautiful photo courtesy of Oneris Rico.
Tags: GOOD Magazine, LAMA, Oneris Rico, TransMilenio Bus System
Subscribe
May 11th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I from Colombia and I found this article… while I was reading, I felt happy because my City is more beautiful and interesting than foreign people know, and you got it in this few words about Transmilenio (our bus system) :D
May 24th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
It’s actually spelled Colombia, no “u”.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Wow, thanks for catching that terrible mistake! I’m changing it IMMEDIATELY! :0
May 27th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Thanks MissK! I hope to visit your beautiful city someday! :)