Brazil boosts rail operations with new Recife trains and CPTM Pix rollout

The state-owned Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU) placed its first used train, originally built in the 1980s by Cobrasma, into commercial service on Recife's Metro Line South on 10 July. The acquisition, part of a six‑unit emergency purchase costing about R$ 60 million, aims to increase fleet availability and reduce service disruptions that have plagued the system.

In São Paulo, the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) extended its Pix‑based ticket‑payment system to all stations on Lines 11‑Coral, 12‑Safira and 13‑Jade as of 13 July. The move follows a successful pilot that first covered Line 10 and integrates with recent NFC‑enabled turnstiles, offering commuters a faster, cash‑free way to buy QR‑code tickets.

Both initiatives reflect a broader push to modernise Brazil’s urban rail networks, improving capacity in Recife and enhancing payment convenience for millions of CPTM passengers.