After four decades of neglect, regional trains returned to the agenda of the state and federal governments. The construction of 21 railroad branches for passengers is currently being studied by the government. If all planned projects in Brazil get started on time, the country may earn 3,334 kilometers of rails for transportation in 14 states by 2020.
The number is more than double what exists today in operation. Only two tracks of passengers currently work in the country: one connects Belo Horizonte (state of Minas Gerais) to Vitória (state of Espírito Santo), and the other São Luís (state of Maranhão) to Carajás (state of Pará) – both are operated by Vale. The current scenario contrasts with what the market used to be half a century ago: in the 1960s, about 100 million passengers were transported in intercity trains annually. Today, that number is about 1.5 million people per year.
For Vincent Abate, president of the Brazilian Railroad Industry Association (Abifer), the resurgence of rail projects around the country reflects the recent increase in concern with mobility. The rail passenger transportation is usually fast, safe, comfortable and clean. Medium-speed trains, between 100 and 150 km/h, are an alternative for mobility between cities, which today is a disaster.
Among the most advanced projects are the connection between the cities of Brasília and Goiânia, through Anápolis, and about 500 km of rails in Minas Gerais, which would connect Belo Horizonte and cities like Sete Lagoas, Ouro Preto and Brumadinho. The first one, budgeted at $393.39 million, is expected for 2017 and should run all the way in about an hour. The second one is divided into three stretches and should be done through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) that already has 18 interested in preparing feasibility studies. It is expected that works start in 2014.
In São Paulo, the state government conducts studies for three branches – connecting the capital city to the cities of Jundiaí, Santos and Sorocaba. Furthermore, the High Speed Rail (HSR), expected by the federal government to be ready in 2020, will pass through major cities of the state such as Campinas, São Paulo and São José dos Campos on the way to Rio de Janeiro.
Existing tracks:
• Belo Horizonte-Vitória – 664 km
• São Luiz-Carajás – 892 km
Tracks under development:
• Brasília-Goiânia – 150 km
• Belo Horizonte-Sete Lagoas-Ouro Preto- Divinópolis – 500 km
• São Paulo-Jundiaí – 47 km
• São Paulo-Santos – 72 km
• São Paulo-Sorocaba – 90 km
• HSR Campinas-São Paulo-Rio de Janeiro – 528 km
Tracks under study:
• São Cristóvão-Aracaju-Laranjeiras – 40 km
• Londrina-Maringá – 122 km
• Bento Gonçalves-Caxias do Sul – 65 km
• Recife-Caruaru – 139 km
• Campos-Macaé – 94 km
• Itajaí-Blumenau-Rio do Sul – 146 km
• Pelotas-Rio Grande – 52 km
• Campinas-Araraquara – 192 km
• Santa Cruz-Mangaratiba – 49 km
• Bocaiúva-Montes Claros-Janaúba – 217 km
• São Paulo-Itapetininga – 199 km
• Conceição da Feira-Salvador-Alagoinhas – 238 km
• Codó-Tersona-Altos – 205 km
Água Branca should be the starting point for passenger trains in SP
The starting point of express passenger trains in São Paulo will be the Água Branca Station of the São Paulo Metropolitan Train Company (CPTM) in the west zone.
It will be the São Paulo terminal for the train to Jundiaí, whose notices to bid were published last month. The State expects the tracks to Sorocaba and possibly Santos also depart from the station, which will be improved.
The focus on regional trains to improve transportation between major cities of the state reflects the increased fleet of cars in São Paulo – which, on weekends and holidays, nearly stops the major highways. Jurandir Fernandes, the Metropolitan Transportation secretary himself, usually says that the road concessionaires ask for trains like Jundiaí’s to get start soon.
The final definition of Água Branca Station as hub of these trains will be made in January, according to the planning superintendent of CPTM, Silvestre Eduardo Rocha Ribeiro. Sorocaba and Jundiai have been decided. Now, in Santos, there is the pre-salt. Where will everyone who works there live? Santos does not have room for them. ABC Region? Água Branca can be a hub for trains, but not ‘the’ hub. I can make more than one stop.
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