ABSTRACT
This chapter uses the Wellbeing Survey to assess the population’s perceptions on the urban mobility of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Besides understanding which modes of transport are most commonly used, it discusses the reasons why individuals would be more likely to opt for public transport and their satisfaction with commuting time. In both cities, the most used mode of transport is the car. The average commute time is larger in Rio than in São Paulo, but there is volatility within cities. Before the Olympics, Rio de Janeiro respondents spent an average of 1 hour and 48 minutes on commuting, while São Paulo people spent 11 minutes less. After the mega-event, while the average time in São Paulo remained constant, it fell 15 minutes in Rio. Satisfaction with commute time has improved after the Olympics in both cities, but its level is still low. Statistical tests using longitudinal data reveal gains in the chances of improving the quality of commuting in the city of Rio de Janeiro compared with São Paulo. The comparative analysis by city also shows that the cariocas’ main concern when using the city’s public modes of transport is with safety.
