Lima to pilot bidirectional bus lane on Arequipa Avenue

The Autoridad de Transporte Urbano para Lima y Callao (ATU) is set to launch a pilot program for a bidirectional bus lane on Arequipa Avenue, commencing August 6. This technically validated measure aims to restore order along the busy thoroughfare, combat informal transportation, and prioritize the Blue Corridor bus service.

The operation will be implemented in stages, in coordination with the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima and the National Police of Peru. The preliminary phase involves a 1.5-kilometer stretch between Avenida 9 de Diciembre (Paseo Colón) and Jirón Emilio Fernández. This initial segment will allow the ATU to evaluate the new traffic scheme's effectiveness and make necessary adjustments before proceeding with subsequent phases.

The ATU emphasizes that the bidirectional lane is not a road construction project but an intervention designed to transform Arequipa Avenue into a calmer transit zone. The goal is to prioritize public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists, thereby offering safer, faster, and more organized journeys. This initiative is expected to benefit over 70,000 daily users of the Blue Corridor service.

Key projected benefits include a significant reduction in peak-hour travel time, from 10 to 6 minutes, and a doubling of the buses' commercial speed from 9 km/h to 18 km/h during peak hours. This will lead to more consistent service. The ATU aims to address the issue of informal vehicles operating without authorization on Arequipa Avenue, which negatively impacts the Blue Corridor's operations and poses risks to its passengers.