The Tomtom traffic index evaluates traffic congestion in 62 countries and provides free access about the Average travel time. Pedestrians, urban planners and drivers have an important tool to face the daily conflict of traffic congestion. How is the situation in Colombia?
Colombia has a complicated situation in transit. Bus saturation, the lack of sufficient routes and the lack of options to connect different areas lead many to use private vehicles and motorcycles, aggravating congestion in the main cities of the country.
1. Barranquilla:
It is currently classified as the most congested city in the world according to the Tomtom traffic index. In 2024, the average travel time to drive 10 kilometers in Barranquilla was 36 minutes and 6 seconds. This translates into approximately 130 hours lost per year due to traffic congestion and an average circulation speed of 16.6 km/h.
2. Cartagena:
Cartagena occupies the 20th position worldwide in terms of vehicular congestion. The average travel time is 31 minutes and 15 seconds for every 10 km and the average speed is 19.2 km/h. In addition, travelers spend 117 extra hours a year in traffic during peak hours, although compared to 2023, travel time is 20 seconds smaller.
3. Bogotá:
In 2023, Bogotá was named the most congested city in the world by Tomtom Traffic Index, however, the situation showed a certain improvement in 2024.
On average, approximately 29 minutes and 23 seconds are needed to travel 10 km in the city. Currently, he occupies the Post 40 worldwide in 2024 although there is still a lot of work to do to change this trend.
(Read more: Tourist collapsed: the 2 cities of Latin America that are impossible to visit)
Traffic congestion
Source: Istock
Other cities that show difficulties with traffic
Cali:
In this city several factors converge that make it have circulation problems. The ignorance of traffic standards by drivers, the bad behavior of pedestrians, inappropriate traffic control by the authorities make the city in the Post 41 of the Ranking Tom.
Medellín:
The increase in urbanization, the highest income, the lowest prices of cars causes citizens to resort their own vehicles and give up the use of public transport. In the Ranking Tom Tom is in the Post 55.
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