LRV makes first trip through the streets of São Vicente

The Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) debuted in streets of São Vicente on Saturday afternoon (30). The first test of the composition was performed between Nossa Senhora das Graças and José Monteiro stations, in Vila Valença.

Among the passengers of the trip, Brazilian and foreign technicians observed every detail and reaction of the composition. Yet on Saturday, six other trips will be made which will result in a report with the objective of pointing out possible changes in the operation of the vehicle.

The course of a kilometer was done in about five minutes, with speed below normal. When passing, the new modal drew the attention of the residents of the surrounding areas, who came out to see the novelty and register the first voyage of the LRV.

Bicycle mechanics, Tainá Almeida, left the bike aside and approached the composition as soon as it stopped. I thought it would be simpler, smaller. It is very beautiful. I can’t wait being able to ride it, she said, excited. She lives on the border with Santos, where the composition will pass.

Pleasant trip

Without jerks and moving smoothly, the journey with the LRV is nice. In the test, as the system is not yet integrated with semaphore signaling of the municipality, there were no stops between stations, because the crossings were blocked to traffic at the time of testing.

The return trip was successful and at the end of the test engineers celebrated. For the President of Empresa Metropolitana de Transportes Urbanos (EMTU), Joaquim Lopes da Silva Júnior, today is very special, because there was a huge expectation for this moment. For me, it’s like Christmas Eve, he says.

In the coming weeks, it will be possible to view the circular LRV in a few moments, in new tests. Soon, at a date not yet set, the surrounding residents and schools should be invited to test the vehicle.