Bogotá advances process to acquire fleet of low-emission buses

Bogotá bus rapid transit operator Transmilenio is making progress in the bidding process for the acquisition of 269 zero- or low-emission buses for the Colombian capital, although there are delays compared to what was originally planned.

According to the Secop II procurement platform, comments on the draft specifications for the TMSA-LP-09-2024 process will be received until January 7. The final specifications will be published on January 24, and comments on these will be received until January 26.

The contract award is scheduled for May 19 and the signing for May 29.

When the process was announced in July, the contract was expected to be awarded in November.

The bidding process is part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility and decarbonize public transport in Bogotá.

The new bus fleet is divided into two lots: the first of 112 bi-articulated buses with electric technology or low emissions with a minimum Euro 6 standard (electric, diesel or natural gas vehicles), and a second batch of 157 electric articulated buses.

The estimated cost was not revealed but the aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 26,000t/y, according to Transmilenio.

The main obligations of the winning concessionaire will be to supply, operate and maintain the fleet and to design the necessary charging infrastructure.

Transmilenio expects the first buses to begin operating in 2026.

The new fleet will increase the capacity of the Transmilenio transport system by 12% and will allow for 10 new routes, three of them in the municipality of Soacha.

Bogotá is a benchmark in the region in the implementation of a sustainable public transport system and energy transition objectives. The city's climate action plan proposes a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Colombian cities such as Cali and Medellín also have electric buses.