Colombia’s first 50 battery-electric articulated buses enter service

Bogotá is electrifying its articulated bus fleet: 50 new electric articulated buses are joining the TransMilenio system. By 2029, the Colombian capital aims to integrate a total of 900 additional electric buses.

According to city authorities, the 50 new additions are Colombia’s first battery-electric articulated buses. The vehicles can accommodate up to 160 passengers and feature doors on both sides, allowing them to serve both TransMilenio network stations and bus lanes, as well as conventional roads and stops. Media reports indicate that the rollout will be gradual and will be linked, among other factors, to the expansion of the corridor along Avenida Ciudad de Cali.

The vehicles were procured by the operators Masivo Capital and ETIB. The bodies are manufactured in Colombia: 25 units were built by Busscar in Pereira, and another 25 by Marcopolo in Cota. The buses are equipped with features such as cameras, blind-spot monitoring, real-time telemetry, digital rear-view mirrors, Wi-Fi, and USB ports. They also include designated spaces for wheelchairs and prams, as well as boarding aids for passengers with limited mobility.

The new articulated buses are part of a larger electrification programme. Between 2026 and 2029, Bogotá plans to integrate a total of 900 new battery-electric buses into its public transport system. Of these, 631 vehicles will replace older buses, while a further 269 battery-electric articulated buses are earmarked for a later expansion phase and the extension of the TransMilenio network towards Soacha. Including the 97 battery-electric minibuses and standard buses already added, the latest procurement round comprises 147 vehicles. Once all 900 planned e-buses are in service, TransMilenio estimates they will avoid around 57,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Bogotá is thus following a broader trend in Latin America: the region now has over 10,000 electric buses in operation. Santiago de Chile leads the way with 4,222 e-buses, while São Paulo is also significantly expanding its fleet, having commissioned 500 additional battery-electric buses in June. This brings the total size of the city’s electric bus fleet up to 1,759 vehicles – including 189 trolleybuses.