Rosario, Argentina is dedicated to improvement. The city is building momentum on a wide range of sustainable transport projects, expanding and advancing major initiatives. A mid-sized city of 1.3 million residents, Rosario frames its mobility strategy around three pillars: improve mass transit, develop more options for non-motorized transport, and deter private vehicles. This year, the city has made significant investments in cycling infrastructure, extended the use of dedicated bus lanes, and improved the accessibility and integration of transit across the city.

With explicit aims to ease congestion and reduce pollution, Rosario has committed to improving its cycling environment. In 2015, the city added dozens of kilometers of bike lanes, creating a network of 44km of connected, protected bike lanes downtown, and more than 100km of cycle routes throughout the city. In addition, in 2015 Rosario built on previous pilots to launch a new bike share system, mi bici tu bici (Mi Bike, Your Bike). With an initial launch of 20 stations and 200 operational bikes downtown, the system serves as a highly visible sign of Rosario’s commitment to sustainable transport. As a result of its efforts, roughly 5% of trips in Rosario are taken by bike – a major accomplishment that promises more to come.

Expanding dedicated lanes and adding special stations, Rosario has improved its bus system with a focus on accessibility. Turning plans into action, Rosario added 2.5 kilometers of exclusive bus lanes this year as part of the city’s multi-year program to make transit more accessible along major urban corridors. Accessibility has been a major consideration of the 12 new stations built, with ramps, clear signage, and helpful loading zones for riders with reduced mobility.

Improving multi-modal integration, Rosario has introduced integrated transit cards, allowing residents to ride the bus, access bike share, and pay for on-street parking within one system. The improvement is a result of increased coordination and centralization of transportation at the administrative level, such as the creation of a Center for Mobility Monitoring. Increased air quality monitoring is helping guide the city’s decision making, aiming to create a safer and clear environment for residents.

Rosario’s high profile commitment to improving mobility is moving the city forward. Guided by ambitious, multi-year plans with coordinated institutional commitments to act, Rosario is making progress and improving the quality of life for residents.

RSVP For the 2016 Sustainable Transport Award, January 12, 2016 in Washington D.C.

###

Since 2005, the STA has been given annually to a city that has implemented innovative and sustainable transportation projects in the past year. These strategies must improve mobility for all residents, reduce transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions, as well as improve safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians.

The 2016 finalists will be honored at a reception at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 12, 2015, during the Transport Research Board annual conference in Washington, DC. If you would like to attend the STA ceremony, click here to RSVP.

Past winners of the Sustainable Transport Award include: Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo, Brazil (2015); Buenos Aires, Argentina (2014) Mexico City, Mexico (2013); Medellin, Colombia and San Francisco, United States (2012); Guangzhou, China (2011); Ahmedabad, India (2010); New York City, USA (2009); London, UK (2008); Paris, France (2008); Guayaquil, Ecuador (2007); Seoul, South Korea (2006), and Bogotá, Colombia (2005).