Goiânia wins UITP Awards 2026 for pioneering public‑transport metronization

The Nova RMTC project of the Goiânia metropolitan area received the UITP Awards 2026, the top international prize for public transport, at a ceremony in Brussels, Belgium. judges praised the city’s integrated approach that combines fare freezing at R$ 4.30, a largely electric bus fleet and the metronization system that gives buses priority at intersections.

Metronization uses artificial intelligence, smart traffic lights and real‑time monitoring to adjust signal timings for approaching buses. The system, now operating on nine kilometres of the BRT Leste‑Oeste corridor, has raised average bus speed from about 15 km/h to up to 23 km/h – a roughly 40 % operational gain – and cut the average number of stops per trip from 16 to four. More than 90 % of crossings are now passed on green, improving punctuality and passenger comfort.

The award underscores Goiânia’s role as a reference for innovative urban mobility in Brazil and abroad. Governor Daniel Vilela called the recognition a validation of a strategic public‑policy agenda, while municipal officials said the city will continue expanding metronization to additional corridors and extend the electric fleet.