The Government of the City of Buenos Aires is moving forward with an ambitious plan for sustainable mobility. Following the transfer of the bus lines from the Nation, a transformation has begun aimed at renewing the public transportation system and reducing its environmental footprint.
One of the central axes is the modernization of the bus fleet, which plans for 30% of vehicles to run on clean energy by 2027. From that year onwards, companies will only be able to incorporate units with sustainable technologies, such as electric motors or compressed natural gas.
This strategy is framed within the City’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and the Climate Action Plan 2050, whose objective is to achieve carbon neutrality in the coming decades. By 2030, Buenos Aires aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2015.
At the same time, an age limit was established for buses, set at 10 years. Although not fully implemented yet, the number of obsolete units has been halved in just six months, with an expectation to add 144 new vehicles in the short term.
## TramBus, E-Bus, and a new network of green connections
The change goes beyond just renewing the engines. Routes are being reformulated to improve efficiency using GPS-obtained data. This “operational acupuncture” has allowed optimizing lines, reducing unnecessary kilometers, and improving coverage in historically neglected neighborhoods like Rodrigo Bueno, 21-24, and Ramón Carrillo.
A fully electric line, known as E-Bus, has also been launched. In its first two months, it transported over 100,000 passengers in the Microcentro. This experience laid the groundwork for the upcoming launch of two TramBus lines, with electric vehicles of greater capacity that will cover densely populated areas and connect multiple neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.
TramBus 1 (T1) will run between Aeroparque and the Sáenz Transfer Center. The second section (T2) will pass through neighborhoods such as Flores, Parque Chas, and Villa Urquiza. T1 is expected to be operational in 2026, with T2 joining the following year. There are even plans for a third section along the Dellepiane highway.
Another notable innovation is the multipayment system, which will allow payment with a bank card or QR, with full implementation scheduled for October. Additionally, security cameras and driver assistance systems with artificial intelligence are being installed throughout the fleet.
## Benefits of sustainable mobility in large cities
Opting for a clean transportation system not only reduces emissions but also improves public health by reducing air pollution levels, especially in densely inhabited areas where combustion vehicles are the main source of toxic particles.
In addition, sustainable mobility helps decongest streets. By prioritizing efficient and sustainable public transportation, the use of private vehicles is discouraged, travel times are reduced, and the quality of life for millions of people is improved.
Another key benefit is economic savings. Electric or gas buses require less maintenance and have lower operating costs. This allows for reinvestment in infrastructure, expanding routes, and making the system more accessible to all social sectors.
## Subte F and the commitment to connectivity
In parallel, the city government is progressing with the project of the new F subway line, which will connect the neighborhoods of Barracas and Balvanera. The technical design has already been pre-adjudicated, and over 30 business groups have shown interest, including the South Korean conglomerate Samsung.
The F line will have a length of five kilometers, with its tender expected before the end of the year. The Ministry of Mobility ensures that it will be crucial to improve transversal connectivity and alleviate the burden on existing lines.
With these projects, Buenos Aires positions itself as one of the most committed Latin American cities to the ecological transformation of urban transportation. The key will be to maintain planning, ensure equity in access, and accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, inclusive, and resilient urban model.
