How Better Public Transport Helps Create Jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean

Arriving late to work because the train, subway, or bus is delayed can make the difference between a smooth workday and one filled with complications. Spending over two hours commuting every day can have a similar impact. A lack of access to efficient, high-quality public transport affects more than just quality of life—it directly influences the professional success and income of people with fewer resources, many of whom rely on daily work to make ends meet. 

“If this metro line didn’t exist, living where I do, I wouldn’t be able to work at this hospital. It would be completely out of reach, and I’d never get here on time,” says Simone da Conceição, a cleaner at a hospital in São Paulo. The expansion of services, which began in 2010, connected new neighborhoods and improved integration with the broader urban transport network. “With the metro, traveling has become much faster and more comfortable,” she adds. 

Simone da Conceição at the metro station near the AACD and Servidor hospitals in São Paulo Photo: Mariana Ceratti / World Bank

Simone’s story reflects the reality of millions across Brazil and Latin America: efficient public transport systems can be decisive in accepting a new job, finding work, or improving employment conditions. They can also determine whether a person arrives on time or late to work—putting job stability at risk.

Roughly 58 percent of passengers on São Paulo’s metro Line 5 are from low-income households, with around 750,000 people using the line each day. World Bank projects aim to promote the inclusion of underserved communities. In Rio de Janeiro, for example, 89 percent of beneficiaries of the upgraded urban rail system come from low-income households.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay are among the countries where the World Bank has helped strengthen public transport systems—reducing dependence on private vehicles and improving access to essential services. In these eight countries, more than US$3.5 billion in investments have been made, including over US$1.5 billion in metro systems and US$1.6 billion in urban rail development.

Conectando personas con oportunidades

“When you want to get to work and traffic is bad, it’s terrible. The only solution? Get up earlier every day,” says Luis Alberto Herrera, a resident of Lima, one of the most congested capitals in the region. In 2023, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru estimated that traffic delays cost the average person in Lima approximately US$1,026 annually. According to World Bank estimates, the city’s transport issues cost Peru the equivalent of 1.8 percent of its GDP each year.

But this reality is slowly changing. The expansion of Lima’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system has made over 198,000 jobs accessible within a 60-minute commute in the North Extension area, connecting low-income neighborhoods to key economic hubs. Low-income passengers account for 43% of entries at northern terminals, and 81% of users consider the system safe from robbery and theft, underscoring its role in promoting equitable and secure access to jobs and services.

Similar projects in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico have shown how effective these initiatives can be. In Buenos Aires, investments in the Metrobus system helped reduce travel time by up to 53 percent between 2016 and 2023, improving quality of life and freeing up time for other priorities.

Beyond working with national and local governments, the World Bank also partners with the private sector to support these transformations. One example is São Paulo’s metro Line 4, the first public-private partnership (PPP) of its kind in Brazil. This reflects the World Bank Group’s unique approach: supporting governments in financing critical infrastructure and ensuring efficient use of resources, while also enabling the private sector to play an active role in development. In March 2025, the World Bank approved a new project to support the expansion of São Paulo’s Metro Line 2.

Safe and Comfortable Journeys 

Transport is not only about reaching a destination. It’s also about doing so safely and comfortably. Passenger safety is essential so that people can go to work, attend school, or enjoy their free time without worry. 

“Getting to the university quickly is important, but what matters most to me is feeling safe while waiting for the bus,” says Marina Sosa, a Metrobus passenger in La Matanza, a municipality near Buenos Aires city. 

Around 30 kilometers, in the heart of Buenos Aires, a modernization project for Argentina’s Mitre railway line benefited over 130,000 passengers as of June 2024. It cut delays, reduced wait times and ensured safer journeys - all while expanding access to jobs across the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. The project also integrates climate-resilient infrastructure design and disaster risk management systems, strengthening long-term sustainability. 

An image of the Retiro train station in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Since its launch in 2023, Quito's new metro system has transformed urban mobility. As of June 2024, over 150,000 passengers use the service daily, and individuals can now access an additional 2,713 opportunities—including jobs and essential services—within 60 minutes of travel, compared to before the project. 97 percent of riders are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of service, and satisfaction with safety from harassment is above 90 percent. 

The Quito metro project has also provided important opportunities for women: 40 percent of staff at the metro operating company are women, working in both operational and leadership roles. Dayana Lara, one of the 18 female train operators, shares how the project has impacted her life: “We went through a lot of screenings and about 2,000 hours of training. Transporting 1,500 people per train is a big responsibility.” 

A Shift Toward Sustainability

World Bank projects also aim to reduce environmental impacts. For example, Rio de Janeiro’s urban rail system now includes 106 energy-efficient trains, that consume 14 percent less energy and are equipped with air conditioning. They also offer better access for bicycles and other multimodal transport options.

Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay are piloting electric public transport projects, introducing eco-friendly vehicles in cities such as Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, and Bucaramanga. This transition will help cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality—contributing to better health for millions across the region.

The future of public transport in Latin America is already on the move—bringing with it the potential to build more inclusive, sustainable cities filled with opportunity for all.