Rio signs term of improvement after Corcovado breakdown

After the problems that users faced to visit the Christ the Redeemer in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the state Department of Tourism of Rio and the Corcovado Train Co. signed on Monday (6) a statement of commitment to improve the operation of the system. The measures, which were implemented on Sunday (5), include the installation of emergency kits all cars containing flashlight, tools and communications equipment. The information was passed on a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Moreover, a mechanic will accompany all trips to give technical support. The agreement also determined that the company should extend advance ticket sales via internet, create passenger comfort actions with water distribution and assistance to seniors and people with special needs.

The company will also inform the Sethur, in standby, any more serious problem which affects the operation of the train.

At the press conference, the state secretary of tourism, Ronald Azaro, said the purpose of the term is to ensure a better service for tourists. The president of Corcovado Train Co., Savio Neves, said the system operates in overload, since this is the first time that the trains operate at maximum capacity of 4,200 people per day.

The purpose of the two agencies is for the federal government to approve in the next five months the request of the company to buy three new double trains to increase the daily capacity to nine thousand passengers. Savio Neves argued that bureaucracy impedes the purchase, since the request was made in 2005.

New contract

According Ernesto Viveiro de Castro, head of the Tijuca Park, which is responsible for monitoring the services that are operated on-site, the management of the train passed over to the park in 2013 and a new contract is being prepared. “There will be a bid in 2014 for the operations of the new trains, providing for the exchange and replacement of all trains, stations renovation and various environmental obligations for the operators,” said Castro.

On Friday (3), a possible mechanical failure left a composition of the Corcovado Train in halt for about 40 minutes, leaving about 400 visitors stranded at Christ the Redeemer. According to Ricardo Pinna, public relations of the company, the incident occurred around 7:20 pm when the train was returning to the station in Cosme Velho. In recent days, who went to the monument faced a long queue to buy the ticket to board the trains to access the site.

According to the head of the park, the train capacity will be expanded by upgrading the track. “The trains will be the same size, about the same speed, but an improvement in crossing of trains that going up and down, will allow greater efficiency, an increase of about 60% capacity,” said Castro, adding that, even so, it is good to remember that the monument has a limited capacity to receive people, and during high season there will be queues as there are at main attractions in the world.

The dealership, according to Castro, will perform a renovation on the landing station providing greater passenger comfort. The station, he said, should be expanded to accommodate people that are waiting. In Paineiras where people board the vans, the revitalization of the former Hotel das Paineiras is intended, which will become a visitor center for the Corcovado, with a restaurant, gift shop and a large exhibition about the Tijuca National Park.