The Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico requires more than a “cosmetic” remedy, it needs a comprehensive and coherent solution to address air pollution, declared activists.
Greenpeace Mexico’s mobility advisor, Areli Carreón, and the president of the Board of Bicitekas A.C., Agustín Martínez, recalled that there are only 10 days left for the Environmental Commission of the Megalopolis (CAMe) to present new measures to abate the problem.
At a press conference, Carreon said he is making a stand due to the recent series of illogical actions taken that are only placebos to remedy the situation momentarily.
In fact, he stressed, it is absurd to suggest that the 38-million-peso Mexico-Toluca train project would solve the issue, when the same investment could build 29 lines of rapid bus transit.
In his response, he opined that the federal government and the State of Mexico does not lack the money, but the political will, vision, and commitment to the inhabitants of the metropolitan area, who lose between two and five hours a day commuting to their workplaces.
In that sense, Agustín Martínez said that without building a more efficient public transit system, the pollution generated by motor vehicles and traffic congestion will remain unsolved.
He mentioned that over 5.5 million vehicles in the metropolitan area generate pollution, and the Doble Hoy No Circula program has only led to the purchase of more vehicles.
The priority, he explained, should be giving mobility to the nearly 20 million people who make 49 million daily trips, of which 53 percent move by public transit, 17 percent in private vehicles, 30 percent in non-motorized transport, and one percent which is by bicycle.
This makes us waste time and money, he said, where it is estimated that on average a person makes a two- to five-hour commute, at a cost of 28 pesos a day — which is 50 percent of the minimum wage — and even the average velocity of Mexico City has declined from 38.5 kilometers per hour to 17 in the last two decades.
Representatives of both agencies agreed that the measures proposed by the CAMe are necessary but insufficient if we do not invest in quality public transportation.
Therefore, they invite citizens to sign the petition with these requirements, which can be found in the greenpeace.mx/megaciudades/queremos-aire-limpio portal.