As cities expand, the need for well-connected, accessible public transport systems becomes increasingly important for a sustainable and equitable future. Bus rapid transit (BRT) offers a critical solution for many cities by addressing issues of inclusion and low-emission mobility through its network and corridor design, streamlined operations, and other approaches that promote equitable access.

This webinar will highlight how BRT can improve ease of travel for all passengers, including women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Representatives from São Paulo, Brazil and Guadalajara, Mexico will share case studies on their strategies for BRT development, infrastructure integration, first and last mile connectivity, and inclusive mobility. Aligned with ITDP’s year of the bus efforts to highlight the importance of BRT, this session will draw from the 2024 edition of The BRT Standard and its recently launched language translations.

Note: This session will feature live interpretations in Spanish, Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesia, and Chinese. 

 

About the Presenters

Claire Birungi

Claire Birungi Transport Systems Manager, ITDP Africa

Claire Birungi holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Transport Planning and Engineering from the University of Cape Town. Before joining ITDP, Claire worked as a Liveable City consultant with Health Bridge in Kampala on public space accessibility projects. Thereafter, she worked as a consultant with Koleko Transport Planning and Engineering in Johannesburg. Her areas of experience range from intelligent transport systems, transport modelling, transport planning, non-motorised transport, and traffic engineering. Claire’s interests for the future are sustainable transport systems, climate change and transport economics.

Beatriz Rodrigues Public Transport and Electrification Manager, ITDP Global

Beatriz Rodrigues (she/her/hers pronouns) leads ITDP’s global initiatives in public transport and electrification, spearheading the development of strategies and policies. She coordinates knowledge sharing among regional offices, focusing on rapid transit, buses, electrification, paratransit, and BRT. A Brazilian native, she began her work in ITDP at our Brazil regional office in 2016 and joined the Global team in 2024. Throughout her career, Beatriz has collaborated closely with public transport stakeholders, including managers, operators, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia. Beatriz also has experience in planning and coordinating capacity-building initiatives and knowledge exchanges through meetings, courses, and webinars. She holds a degree in civil engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a Master’s in Transport Engineering from COPPE/UFRJ.

Amilcar Arnoldo López Zepeda Public Transport Director, Government of the State of Jalisco, Mexico 

Amilcar Arnoldo Zepeda has been serving as General Director of Public Transport for the State of Jalisco since 2018, managing the operation of more than 6 thousand public transportation units statewide, as well as the two BRT lines (Mi Macro Calzada and Mi Macro Periférico). Amilcar has a depth of experience in transport operations, public policy, transport funding and concession structures. Prior to this position, he has served as General Director of Mobility in the Municipality of León, Guanajuato and Project Manager for the Massive Integrated Transportation System in Morelos State.  

Vanessa Pessoa Advisor to SPTrans, City of São Paulo, Brazil

Vanessa Pessoa has over 25 years of experience in public and private sectors, administration, communications and leadership around interdisciplinary issues on race and gender in urban transport. Since 2017, she has been leading the Communications Department at the Transport Secretariat of the City of São Paulo. She is also responsible for the Institutional Support Group at SPTrans, a company that manages public transport in the city of São Paulo. She has been an active member of an inter-secretariat group working on gender and race in urban mobility at São Paulo City Hall. She holds a master’s degree in law and journalism. 

Abigail Muigai Senior Network Management Officer, Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority

Abigail Muigai, Senior Network Management Officer for the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA), is a civil engineer by profession with ten years’ experience in urban transport and policy formulation working with both the National and County Government in Kenya. Over time Abigail has had the opportunity to collaborate with various development partners and civil society groups within the transportation sector endeavoring to provide people-oriented solutions to the mobility challenges facing our urban areas whilst enhancing sustainability, inclusivity and safety.

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