The Brazilian State of Santa Catarina has conducted a public consultation for the implementation of a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in the Metropolitan Region of Florianópolis.

In 2015, Request for Expression of Interest (PMI) was published. The project was supported by the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), through a cooperation agreement with the State.

The winning company will provide, operate and maintain the infrastructure of the BRT system. The concession will have a period of 25 years and the value of the contract is of BRL1.1 billion (US$322 million). The winning consortium will pay 50% of the total amount and the government will pay the other half.

In a first stage 57.5 km of the BRT will be implemented, with 36 stations and four integration terminals. The operational control system will supervise the entire operation of the system, through the Control Center Operational. It is expected that the first sections of the BRT will be ready by November 2017.

The State of Santa Catarina has been evaluating the implementation of PPP projects to improve the mobility of the Metropolitan Region of Florianópolis since 2012.

Florianópolis, the capital of the Santa Catarina State, is made up mostly of 54km-long Santa Catarina Island. It's famous for its beaches, including popular resort areas. The city has approximately 469,000 inhabitants.

Florianópolis has previous experiences with PPP Projects. This month we reported the city published the feasibility studies for a marina concession and urban park on Avenida Beira Mar Norte.