Brasília World Cup transport: LRT cancelled, US$49mn bus route plans underway

Brazil's capital city Brasília will not have a light rail transit (LRT) system as originally planned for the 2014 World Cup, government news service Agência Brasil reported. The implementation of an urban bus route, which includes the construction of lanes and viaducts, is being planned in its place. It is estimated at 100mn reais (US$49.3mn), the report said. An official announcement excluding the LRT from the federal district's commitment plan was published in the federal gazette Diário Oficial da União on Friday (Sep 28). THE LRT Budgeted at 277mn reais, phase I work was to include building 6.5km of the line between JK international airport and the Asa Sul terminal, as well as four stations. The overall LRT plan was to cost some 1.5bn reais, including the construction of 22.6km running through 25 stations. The project was halted at least six times since it first began in 2008 due to issues with financing, procurement and finally, reported fraud during the tender process which started in 2011. A contract to build the system was never awarded.