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Medellín City Council Approves Transport Safety Fund, Allocates $2.8 Million for Bus Rapid Transit Upgrades
New council vote channels federal transport grants into safety improvements on TransMilenio routes, expected to affect the 1.2 million daily riders who depend on the system.
How we reported this
Medellín's city council voted 28-5 on Thursday to approve a dedicated safety fund for the TransMilenio bus rapid transit system, dedicating 11.2 billion pesos (approximately $2.8 million USD) from federal infrastructure grants to station upgrades and vehicle maintenance over the next 18 months. The measure, which passed after two hours of debate, directs the Metro company to prioritize repairs on 47 stations showing structural wear and to replace worn brake systems on 156 buses currently in service on the metro's six main corridors.
Why the timing matters
The council's action follows three separate incidents on TransMilenio lines in June in which brake failures left passengers injured. A June 18 incident on Line A left four riders hospitalized. Metro company officials reported to council that 23 percent of the fleet is operating beyond manufacturer-recommended service intervals. Transport analysts at the Universidad de Antioquia's School of Engineering told the council that deferred maintenance on high-traffic routes creates compounding safety risks during peak commute hours, when the system carries approximately 600,000 passengers daily on the central lines alone.
For Medellín residents, the vote means that the 1.2 million daily TransMilenio users can expect visible work on stations within their neighborhoods by September. The funding targets eight high-traffic stations in the Belén, San Alejo, and Manrique zones, which collectively serve more than 280,000 commuters per day. Station roof repairs, lighting upgrades, and new safety barriers are expected to roll out on a staggered schedule, with the metro company saying that single-line closures during off-peak hours will allow work without disrupting peak morning and evening service.
What the budget covers
The 11.2 billion pesos breaks down into three categories: 4.2 billion for structural repairs, 5.1 billion for vehicle maintenance and parts replacement, and 1.9 billion for installation of upgraded emergency communication systems at stations. Council documents show the funding comes from a national transport modernization grant distributed to municipal authorities in Antioquia. Metro officials confirmed that brake replacement work on the 156 buses will occur in rotating cohorts, with 30 vehicles taken offline each month for service rather than all at once, preventing sudden service reductions during peak hours.
Community leaders from the Junín neighborhood praised the vote during public comment, noting that TransMilenio availability affects employment access for residents who cannot afford private transport. One transport cooperative representing drivers of informal van services in the zone said improved safety on the rapid transit system could reduce pressure on alternative transport services. Local shop owners along the central corridors told council that station improvements could also affect foot traffic and commerce in those areas, since safer, better-lit stations typically see higher ridership.
The Metro company says the work will be complete by March 2027. Council members from the opposition raised questions during debate about whether the timeline was realistic given contractor availability in the region, though transportation officials defended the schedule. The next step requires Metro management to file detailed work plans with the city's public works office within 14 days. Community oversight boards in each affected zone will be given progress reports monthly, according to the council resolution.