An ambitious overhaul has cut commutes and cleared the air — and made the mayor a lot of enemies.
The plan reallocated road space from cars to buses and bikes — a politically explosive move that has, so far, worked.
Ridership is up, journey times are down, and the air is measurably cleaner.
Betting on the bus
Not everyone is convinced, and the backlash has been loud.
"You cannot improve a city without upsetting someone."
Analysts point to a handful of forces driving the story forward:
- Dedicated lanes for buses and bikes
- Falling commute times
- A fierce political fight
Delegations from other cities are already lining up to visit.