More than a century after the inauguration of the Railroad Central do Brasil, in 1889, residents of the North Area have the expectation of comfort in their travels, which, today, are a cause for complaints. SuperVia fleet will be expanded and modernized, having air-conditioning and computerized communication system. The first new composition came into operation on March 20, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, between Central and Deodoro. Until the 2014 World Cup, the number of trains will go from 160 to 191, including the one that began to circulate last month. According to SuperVia, the investments across the network amounted to US$ 1.30 billion, with US$ 650 million from the state government and the same amount from the concessionaire. It is expected that seven more consists are incorporated into the system until July, as part of the package.
Platforms will have to be adapted
Besides the new train in operation, three other trains are being tested and another four are in the assembly process. The distance from the train to the platform will also be reduced, with the use of rubber in all branches. The feature has already been adopted in 18 of the 99 stations.
“It is expected that, by July, eight new trains are in operation. SuperVia will replace 49 carbon steel consists (without air conditioning), the oldest of the fleet. All of them will be returned to the state government,” explains the company’s operations director, João Gouveia.
Passengers who are lucky enough to board the new train, with capacity for 1,300 people, will have refrigerated environments, polycarbonate baggage compartments, bins in all doors and entrances for people with special needs, with audible and visual signals. The LED panels simultaneously inform the next stop, in addition to the sound warning direct from the Information Center.
The closed circuit TV will transmit real-time news for diversion of passengers, and the air suspension will give the impression that the consist fluctuates.
The users are still suspicious about the improvement of SuperVia’s service. To the sales promoter Simone Gomes, offer a little more comfort in this transport is an obligation, since everyone pays passage.
“I depend on this means of transport to get around and I know that many others need as well. A little more comfort and a more efficient service would facilitate the lives of many people. The initiative for change is very good, but I only believe in what I see,” the sales promoter says.
According to the concessionaire, the new train is still in the process of adaptation and circulates in assisted operation, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, when there is little movement on the extensions.
“This train empty is kind of cool because you can see that it is very efficient. But if there is no maintenance, it will end up turning into one more wreck and will continue generating troubles. Other new trains with air conditioning also were inaugurated and they all have already been vandalized. I just hope they could manage to keep this pattern,” says the businessman Leonardo da Silva Aguiar.
While the fleet is not renewed and expanded, the reality of the passenger that depends on the train is difficult. What you see on the rails are overcrowded trains in a state of disrepair. The users say that lack basic services such as sanitation, ventilation and control of passengers.
“The security is terrible. There is no ventilation and hygiene, and the lighting is poor,” Jorge de Jesus tells, in the midst of pushing and shoving in Deodoro station.
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