Brazil pushes forward with São Paulo rail projects, from Ferroanel study to metro line upgrades

The Brazilian federal government and freight operator MRS Logística signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct technical studies for the São Paulo Ferroanel, a 53‑km freight bypass designed to separate cargo and passenger traffic. The work, to be completed within 12 months, could cost up to R$ 6 billion.

Transport Minister George Santoro also signed cooperation agreements to repurpose idle railway sections in the South and Southeast. In Espírito Santo, about 260 km of the Ferrovia Centro‑Atlântica may be converted for tourism, leisure or urban transport, while in Paraná up to 80 km under Rumo could support cultural and mobility projects. Senator Fabiano Contarato participated in a technical agreement to hand over parts of the Leopoldina railway for similar uses.

In São Paulo State, a 25‑year concession for CPTM lines 11‑Coral, 12‑Safira and 13‑Jade was awarded to Trivia Trens, committing R$ 14.3 billion to expand the network by more than 22 km, add eight new stations and increase capacity by up to 238 percent.

The São Paulo Metro updated its system map to include the six new stations of Line 6‑Laranja, opening on 2 July, and the Washington Luís station of Line 17‑Ouro, completing the first phase of the monotrilho. Line 6 is expected to carry over 630 000 passengers daily.

Governor Tarcísio de Freitas announced he will keep Line 17 under state Metro operation rather than privatize it, citing the line’s financial deficit and a pragmatic approach to public‑sector management.