Jalisco on Green Wheels: Innovation in Public Transport and Sustainable Mobility

Sustainable mobility is a key pillar for urban and rural development in the state of Jalisco. With a growing population and a high level of urbanization in areas such as the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, transportation has become one of the biggest challenges to ensuring quality of life and reducing environmental impact. Jalisco is betting on structural change, advancing ecological public transport systems, electric mobility, and promoting bicycles as a viable alternative in both cities and rural areas. 

In Guadalajara, the public transport system has undergone significant reforms in recent years. Line 3 of the Light Rail, recently inaugurated, is a prime example: with electric trains and an accessible, modern design, it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves mobility in the metropolitan area. 

Additionally, the Mi Macro Periférico program — the high-capacity articulated bus system (BRT) — has positioned itself as an efficient and sustainable model of mass transit. With dedicated lanes, low-emission units, and a comprehensive connectivity approach, this system not only reduces traffic but also significantly decreases environmental pollution. 

Jalisco has begun promoting the electrification of transportation, a key sector for decarbonization. In Guadalajara and neighboring municipalities, charging stations for electric vehicles have been installed, and the state government encourages their adoption through vehicle tax reductions. However, the implementation of electric buses in public transportation is progressing more slowly due to high initial costs and a lack of infrastructure in less urbanized areas. 

In rural areas, where access to conventional public transport is limited, electric mobility offers transformative potential. Pilot projects are testing smaller electric vehicles as viable alternatives for remote communities. However, economic and logistical barriers must be overcome for these solutions to become a large-scale reality. 

Bicycle use is being promoted as part of a broader active mobility strategy. Bike lanes like those on Ávila Camacho Avenue in Guadalajara are examples of infrastructure designed to ensure cyclist safety and promote this clean and healthy mode of transport. Programs like MiBici Pública have increased the number of users, standing out as a successful model in Mexican cities. 

In rural areas, the challenge is greater. Although bicycles represent an affordable and sustainable alternative, the lack of adequate infrastructure and road safety hinders their adoption. This is where municipal governments have the opportunity to integrate active mobility plans into their local development strategies. 

Despite progress, sustainable mobility in Jalisco faces significant challenges. Fragmented planning, lack of funding for rural projects, and cultural resistance to new forms of transport are barriers that must be addressed with comprehensive, long-term policies. Despite all the efforts being made, we are far from having tax incentives for the use of clean technologies like in developed countries, which would allow citizens to invest and obtain real, tangible economic benefits, leading to the use of clean energy. 

On the other hand, the binational context with the United States presents unique opportunities. Collaborations in electric mobility technology, funding for ecological transport projects, and the exchange of best practices can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable model. Jalisco, with its strategic position and political will, is at a crucial point to consolidate these advances. 

The development of an ecological public transport system in Jalisco, combined with the promotion of active and electric mobility, can serve as a model for other regions of Mexico and Latin America. However, success depends on the ability to integrate solutions tailored to the needs of both urban and rural areas. Sustainable mobility is not just a tool to reduce emissions but also a driver to improve quality of life and strengthen community resilience in an increasingly challenging future.

Written by: Editorial