Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) is air polluted, mainly from fuel vehicles, and negatively affecting population's health and productivity. MCMA needs a policy addressed to reduce toxic emissions, while maintaining economic development and transportation services supply. Criteria is defined to assess current and alternative policies. Status quo policy is based on a temporary measure consisting of a ban for cars to run normally, while other responses were supposed to take effect. Alternative policy substitutes driving ban by enforcing rapid modernisation of the fleet, taxing fuels, and absorbing demand increase by expanding mass transit. Evaluation shows that alternative policy is effective and fair, and would generate ecological investment. Interests of federal government and its legal ability to control decisions are supporting the continuation of the status quo policy. Stronger state and capital city governments and a change in attitude of the federal level would contribute to reduce air pollution.
Abstract