São Paulo’s Metro Line 17-Gold gains its eighth station this Tuesday (30th). In a ceremony held in the South Zone of the capital, the State Government delivers the Washington Luís station, expanding the monorail operation and inaugurating an unprecedented model in the São Paulo network: the so-called “Y” operation, which will allow three distinct destinations for passengers.
During the event, the expansion of the line’s operating hours was also announced. Still in assisted operation, the service will begin, as of July 1st, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., maintaining free service for users.
The inauguration of Washington Luís station represents two important milestones for Line 17-Gold. In addition to adding approximately 800 meters of track to the operational network, the expansion marks the debut of the “Y” operational format in the system, with trains now serving three destinations: Morumbi, at one end of the line, and Congonhas Airport or Washington Luís, at the other.
The new configuration, however, also introduces shuttle-type operation. Passengers with origin or destination at Washington Luís station will have to disembark at Brooklin Paulista to transfer to another train before continuing their journey.
With an investment of R$ 5.9 billion, Line 17-Gold was designed to connect Congonhas Airport to the São Paulo metro-rail network. The delivery of Washington Luís station completes the first phase of the project, originally scheduled for the 2014 World Cup, but postponed due to a succession of obstacles, including the bankruptcy of the train manufacturer, delays in property acquisitions, and financial and legal difficulties faced by construction companies involved in Operation Lava Jato.
Inaugurated on March 31st of this year, Line 17-Gold has already transported over 200 thousand passengers across its 6.7 kilometers in length. Since the beginning of operation, the trains have traveled approximately 12 thousand kilometers, while a satisfaction survey conducted by Metro indicated an approval rating of 85% among users.
The future of the line is already being planned. Currently, executive projects for two expansions are being developed. In the direction of Morumbi, the extension should serve the Paraisópolis region and the surroundings of Morumbis Stadium. At the opposite end, the line will proceed toward Jabaquara, where it will integrate with Line 1-Blue, increasing the connectivity of São Paulo’s metro system.
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