The American agency USAID collaborated with the Mexican authorities in the design of the project.
“Completing the start of operations of the Ie-Tram system in Yucatán is a success story that should be replicated in other cities in the country,” said Gerardo Arroyo, leader of the Climate and environmental financing team at the United States Agency for International Development. (USAID, for its acronym in English).
After two years of efforts to obtain financing, the design of the project, and the acquisition of first-level units, public transportation users in Yucatán will be able to enjoy a zero-emission service that contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases. but it also raises the level of transportation quality in the municipalities of Mérida, Umán, and Kanasín.
“If you encourage public transportation over private transportation, you have many more profits in that you move more people with less energy, then you are contributing a social good, you are working to raise the level and quality of transportation; It is not only an issue of greenhouse gases, but it is sustainable mobility, an issue of human rights that people have access to decent transportation,” declared Gerardo Arroyo.
What is the United States Agency for International Development: USAID?
The United States Agency for International Development is an independent agency of the United States government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
USAID accompanied municipal, state and federal authorities in the implementation of this 100 percent electric transportation system through accessibility studies, recommendations for the definition of routes, suggestions for integrating the units with the different local modes of transportation. , training on mobility design and infrastructure; and workshops to include the gender perspective and social inclusion.
Arroyo explains that this support is part of the Alliance for Cities with Net Zero Emissions, which affects only five locations in Mexico: Hermosillo, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Mérida, which receive resources approved by the United States Congress to reduce greenhouse gases.
“The United States Congress is interested in investing in Mérida and other Mexican cities from a global perspective, because if the development challenges that the cities of the neighboring country have are reduced or if you are creating job opportunities, you are to a certain extent attacking the root causes of migration, for example, so that is one angle, but you are also promoting systems that reduce climate risk.”
The USAID representative highlighted that the current state administration (headed by Governor Mauricio Vila) has committed to changing the way in which public transportation is being designed and that was one of the reasons why Mérida was a chosen city. to receive the support of the agency.
After the inauguration of the Ie-Tram, scheduled for this Friday, December 15, the alliance between Mexico and USAID continues, as it is a five-year commitment that ends until 2027.
Therefore, the agency will monitor and evaluate the Ie-Tram to propose, if necessary, adjustments to improve the system.
“The United States and Mexico are partners, we are neighbors and if neighbors talk to each other, exchange information and help each other, relations are much more harmonious. The ultimate goal is shared prosperity,” said Gerardo Arroyo.
Now, he pointed out, Yucatán is an example that other cities should replicate and listen to the voices of society that demand decent public transportation, for which the will of the authorities of the three levels of government is needed.
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