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New PAC Financing Package Provides for 100 Electric Buses, 64 km of Exclusive Lanes, 66 km of Bike Lanes, and Drainage Works to Benefit 65 Thousand Residents in Belo Horizonte.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially signed financing contracts totaling R$ 770 million for urban mobility and drainage works in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday (16) at the Palácio do Planalto. The meeting was attended by Mayor Álvaro Damião, ministers, and representatives of the federal government. According to Lula, the projects are part of the New PAC, a program that concentrates investments in infrastructure throughout Brazil.
Electric Fleet: A Milestone for the Minas Capital
One of the contracts provides for the acquisition of 100 electric buses, in addition to the installation of 50 chargers and the adaptation of garages. The investment of R$ 317 million, financed by the Climate Fund – BNDES, marks the first time that PAC finances fleet renewal with a focus on sustainability.
During the ceremony, Lula also signed the ordinance for the purchase of 20 additional buses, valued at R$ 15.4 million.
The president highlighted the importance of clean transportation for a city with 2.5 million inhabitants and a vast metropolitan area:
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“We are addressing one of the main needs of Belo Horizonte, taking into account not only the capital but the impacts on the mobility of neighboring cities.”
Urban Mobility with Lanes and Bike Paths
Another contract, worth R$ 139.5 million, provides for the implementation of 64.3 km of exclusive lanes for buses and 66.8 km of bike lanes, in addition to the installation of five bike racks and 800 bike parking spots.
The measure is expected to benefit both public transportation and promote active mobility, expanding commuting options for residents.
The third contract addresses drainage works in the Ribeirão do Onça, which will benefit more than 65 thousand residents in vulnerable areas. With investments of R$ 313.5 million, the intervention seeks to reduce flooding and improve sanitation infrastructure in regions affected by floods.
A Republican PAC
Lula took the opportunity during the ceremony to defend the republican nature of the New PAC:
“We do not distinguish which party the mayor or governor belongs to. That is the least of our concerns. What matters is to know whether the project is viable, serious, and of social interest.”
The Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, emphasized that the works will transform the quality of life in the Minas capital:
“This is the first time that PAC encourages fleet renewal. We have job generation in the metallurgy industry and a commitment to the environment.”
The Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, highlighted the impact on daily life, especially for women who face long daily commutes:
“Reducing hours in traffic means increasing hours of family time. Mobility is also a human right.”
The Perspective of Belo Horizonte
Mayor Álvaro Damião thanked the federal government for the investments and emphasized the social benefits of public transportation:
“When we invest in electric buses and mobility, we are investing in that simple lady who needs to get home faster to have time with her family.”
Metro Expansion and New Investments
During the meeting, the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa, reminded everyone of another strategic project: the expansion of the Belo Horizonte metro to Contagem, with R$ 1 billion in investments.
The project provides for the implementation of 3.6 km of tracks and two new stations — Parque São João and Beatriz — starting from the Novo Eldorado Station.
In addition, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, highlighted that PAC has already allocated R$ 137 billion for Minas Gerais in areas such as safety, education, culture, sustainability, and infrastructure.
A Step Towards the Future of BH
With the total of contracts and projects, Belo Horizonte becomes a protagonist in an agenda that unites sustainability, modern mobility, and social inclusion.
The investments in electric buses, bike lanes, drainage, and the metro reflect an effort to align the Minas capital with the smart cities of the future, reducing inequalities and improving the quality of life of the population.
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