TransMilenio is a bus rapid transit system resulting from a successful public-private partnership. The system comprises specialized infrastructure including exclusive lanes for high capacity articulated buses, efficient private operation, advanced fare collection system, and a new public authority for planning, developing and controlling the system.

TransMilenio started operations in December 2000. By May 2001 it moved 360,000 pax/day in 20 Km exclusive busways, 32 stations, 171 articulated buses, and 60 feeder buses operating 26 Km routes. By the end of 2001 it is expected to carry 800,000 pax/day in 41 Km busways, 62 stations, 470 articulated buses and 300 feeder buses operating 125 Km routes. Extensions will continue in the upcoming 16 years to cover 85% of the daily trips in the city.

TransMilenio is a high quality and sustainable transport solution, at a very low cost for the tax payers and the direct users. This paper presents the situation of Bogotá, the overall mobility strategy in which the mass transit system is embedded, the components of TransMilenio, the implementation strategy, and the results after five months of operation.