Rapid transit in Brazil

República Station on São Paulo Metro Line 4

Rapid transit in Brazil is characterized by rail-based systems for regional passenger flow and mass transit, such as light rail, subways, and urban train networks. These systems are concentrated primarily in the Brazilian Southeast and Northeast regions, home to its major urban centers. The São Paulo Metro is the 3rd largest in Latin America,[1] featuring eight lines spanning 116.2 kilometers; it serves as the third most important mode of transport for the metropolis's 11.4 million residents, having been the public transport system that saw the most growth in the city between 2007 and 2017.[2]

Most public transport rail systems in Brazil operate on electric power supplied via overhead lines, such as the Belo Horizonte Metro and the Baixada Santista Light Rail, or through an energized third rail or APS technology, as seen with the Rio de Janeiro Light Rail. Some networks, primarily located in the Northeast, are not electric but diesel-powered, such as the Teresina Metro and the urban trains operated by CBTU in the region.

The cities with a metro system are São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife, and Brasília, built between 1974 and 2014. There are also regions with light rail or urban rail systems, such as Sobral, Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Rio de Janeiro, Baixada Santista, João Pessoa, Natal, and Maceió. There also was one suburban rail system in Pindamonhangaba, operated by the Campos do Jordão Railway, but it has had its operations paused since 2021.[3]

Current expansion projects

Map of Belo Horizonte Metro Line 2

Belo Horizonte Metro

Following the concession of the metro system to the Comporte Group, and utilizing federal and state investment, construction resumed on Line 2 of the Belo Horizonte Metro, which is set to connect the Nova Suíça to Barreiro.

The expansion of Line 1 to the Novo Eldorado station was completed in February 2026, and the federal government announced investments for the construction of the Beatriz and Parque São João stations in Contagem Municipality.[4] The Nova Suíça and Amazonas stations on Line 2 opened in July and are currently in partial operation.[5]

São Paulo Metro

Line 2-Green is being expanded by 8 new stations over an 8.4-kilometer stretch, creating approximately 3,500 direct jobs and serving 320,000 passengers per workday. The expansion will make the Green Line the longest in the system, spanning 23 kilometers.[6][7]

For Monorail Line 15-Silver, one of the few active monorail lines in the country, the construction of the Jacu-Pêssego, Ipiranga, and Boa Esperança stations is planned along a one-kilometer stretch.[8] The deadline for the line to begin operations has been pushed back to 2029, contrasting with the initial forecast of 2027. The future Ipiranga station has already reached the concrete-pouring stage for the main structure's first floor, while the interior areas of the other two planned stations have begun receiving structural finishes and component assembly.[9]

List of metro and monorail systems in Brazil

Operational

City System Start of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Belo Horizonte Belo Horizonte Metro 1986[10] 32 km

(18.5 mi)

 2 22 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Metrô BH
Brasília Federal District Metro 2001[11] 42.4 km (26.3 mi) 2 27 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Companhia do Metropolitano do Distrito Federal (Metrô-DF)
Porto Alegre Porto Alegre Metro 1985[12] 43.8 km (27.2 mi) 1 22 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Empresa de Trens Urbanos de Porto Alegre (TRENSURB)
Recife Recife Metro 1985[13] 39.5 km (24.5 mi) 3 37 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU)
Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Metro 1979[14] 58 km (36 mi) 3 41 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Concessão Metroviária do Rio de Janeiro (MetrôRio)
Salvador Salvador Metro 2014[15] 38 km (24 mi) 2 21 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Companhia do Metrô da Bahia (CCR Metrô Bahia)
Fortaleza Fortaleza Metro 2012 24.1 km (15.0 mi) 3 20 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Companhia Cearense de Transportes Metropolitanos (METROFOR)
São Paulo São Paulo Metro 1974[16] 116.2 km (64.8 mi) 8 105 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in),
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)		 Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo (Lines 1–3, 15)
ViaQuatro (Line 4)
ViaMobilidade (Line 5)

Proposed

City System Start of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Curitiba Curitiba Metro Proposed[17] 17.6 km (10.9 mi) 1 14 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Manaus Manaus Monorail Planned 20 km (12.0 mi) 1 9 None

Discontinued

City System Start of operations End of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Poços de caldas Poços de Caldas Monorail 2000[18] 2003[18] 8 km (4.9 mi) constructed, 30 km (18.6 mi) planned[19] 1 11[20] None Municipal Government of Poços de Caldas
Campinas Campinas Light Metro 1990[21] 1995[21] 7.9 km (4.5 mi)[21] 1 11 stations planned, 8 stations constructed[21] 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Ferrovia Paulista (FEPASA)
São Paulo Metro train arriving at Luz Station, Line 1
1000 Series EMU at Waldomiro Lobo Station on Line 1 of the Belo Horizonte Metro



List of Light Rail Systems in Brazil

Operational

City System Start of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Sobral Sobral Light Rail 2014 13.9 km (8.6 mi) 2 12 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in) Companhia Cearense de Transportes Metropolitanos (METROFOR)
Crato, Juazeiro do Norte Cariri Light Rail 2009 13.9 km (8.5 mi)[22] 1 9[22] 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in)[22] Companhia Cearense de Transportes Metropolitanos (METROFOR)
Santos, São Vincente Baixada Santista Light Rail 2015[23] 11,5 km (7,15 mi)[24] 1 15[23] 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) BR Mobilidade Consortium (supervised by ARTESP, the São Paulo State regulatory body for transportation)
Rio de Janeiro VLT Carioca 2016[25] 28 km (17,4 mi)[25] 4[26] 30[25] 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) VLT Carioca
Metropolitan Area of Salvador VLT do Subúrbio 2027-2028 37 km (22.9 mi)[27] 3[27] 34[27] 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) To be determined by the government
Teresina Teresina Metro 1991[28] 16 km 1 12 1000 mm (3 ft 3.4 in) Companhia Ferroviária e de Logística do Piauí (CFLP)

Discontinued

City System Start of operations End of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Cuiabá Cuiabá Light Rail The construction was never completed Construction was interrupted in 2015[29] 22.2 km (13.7 mi)[30] 2[30] 33[31] 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Rapid transit in Brazil is located in Brazil
Sobral Light Rail
Sobral Light Rail
Cariri Light Rail
Cariri Light Rail
Baixada Santista Light Rail
Baixada Santista Light Rail
VLT Carioca
VLT Carioca
VLT do Subúrbio
VLT do Subúrbio
Light Rail Systems in Brazil
Alstom Citadis 402 of the VLT Carioca during its inaugural trip in downtown Rio de Janeiro
Vossloh Tramlink V4 tram of the Baixada Santista light rail at Bernardino de Campos Station

Suburban Rail

Operational

City System Start of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
São Paulo São Paulo Metropolitan Trains 1889 280 km 7[32][33][34] 96[32][33][34] 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (Lines 7, 10, 11, 12, 13)[32] ViaMobilidade (Lines 8 and 9)[33][34]
João Pessoa João Pessoa Urban Train System 1985 30 km (18.6 mi)[35] 1 9[36] 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in) Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU)
Rio de Janeiro Urban Trains of Rio de Janeiro 1852 270 km[37] 8[38] 104[39] 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)[40] Supervia
Campos do Jordão Campos do Jordão Railway 1914 47 km 1 40 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in) Estrada de Ferro Campos do Jordão (EFCJ)
Natal Natal Urban Train System 1984 77.5 km (48.1 mi)[41] 2[41] 13[41] 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in)[41] Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU)
Maceió Maceió Urban Train System 2011 34.7 km (21,2 mi)[42] 2 15[42] 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in)[42] Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (CBTU)

Discontinued

City System Start of operations End of operations System length Lines Stations Gauge Operator
Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area of Belo Horizonte Suburban Train 1957[43] 1988[43] 321 km[43] 7[43] 21[43] 1 600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Rede Ferroviária Federal (1957-1984), Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos (1984-1992)
Bauru Bauru Urban Train 1973, 1988 1982, 1990 10.0 km (6.21 mi) 2 9 1000mm (3 ft 3.4 in), 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Ferrovia Paulista (FEPASA), Rede Ferroviária Federal (RFFSA)
Rapid transit in Brazil is located in Brazil
São Paulo Metropolitan Trains
São Paulo Metropolitan Trains
Urban Trains of Rio de Janeiro
Urban Trains of Rio de Janeiro
João Pessoa Urban Train System
João Pessoa Urban Train System
Campos do Jordão Railway
Campos do Jordão Railway
Natal Urban Train System
Natal Urban Train System
Maceió Urban Train System
Maceió Urban Train System
Suburban Rail Systems in Brazil
CPTM Coral Line Train
A Series 100 electric train unit at Horto Florestal station, Belo Horizonte.
TUDH model Mobile 3 manufactured by Bom Sinal of the Maceió Urban Train System

See also

References

  1. ↑ revistaoe.com.br (2025-10-22). "SP tem o 4º maior metrô da América Latina". Revista O Empreiteiro (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  2. ↑ "Confederação Nacional do Transporte - CNT". cnt.org.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2025-12-12. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  3. ↑ Carlos, Jean (2025-05-18). "Concessão da Estrada de Ferro Campos do Jordão vai recuperar menos de 40% da ferrovia - Metrô CPTM" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  4. ↑ "Lula anuncia duas novas estações do metrô em Contagem com investimento de R$ 1 bilhão". Rádio Itatiaia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-08-28. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  5. ↑ "Metrô BH Linha 2: Estações Nova Suíça e Amazonas são inauguradas". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2026-07-04. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  6. ↑ "Linha 2-Verde – Metrô" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  7. ↑ "Benefícios – Metrô" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  8. ↑ "Linha 15-Prata – Metrô" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  9. ↑ Meier, Ricardo (2026-05-11). "Linha 15-Prata vê previsão de expansão escorregar para 2029 - Metrô CPTM" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  10. ↑ "Empresa – História" [Company – History] (in Portuguese). CBTU – METRÔ BH. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  11. ↑ "Sobre o metro – Memória" (in Portuguese). Companhia do Metropolitano do Distrito Federal – Metrô. 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  12. ↑ "História" [History]. www.trensurb.gov.br (in Portuguese). Empresa de Trens Urbanos de Porto Alegre S.A. – TRENSURB. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
  13. ↑ "Empresa – Histórico" [Company – History] (in Portuguese). CBTU-STU Recife. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  14. ↑ "Sobre o MetrôRio" [About MetrôRio] (in Portuguese). Concessão Metroviária do Rio de Janeiro S.A. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  15. ↑ Barrow, Keith (11 June 2014). "Salvador metro opens in time for World Cup". International Railway Journal. Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
  16. ↑ "Quem somos" [About us] (in Portuguese). Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo - Metrô. 2017. Archived from the original on 2018-04-27. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  17. ↑ "Curitiba re-launches metro concession tender". 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  18. 1 2 "Poços de Caldas assina parceria com empresa alemã para estudar viabilidade do monotrilho". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  19. ↑ "Prefeitura assume monotrilho". Prefeitura de Poços de Caldas (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-01-30. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  20. ↑ Lobo, Renato (2013-08-31). "A primeira linha de monotrilho do Brasil está desativada há 13 anos -". Via Trolebus (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "VLT em Campinas: do pioneirismo ao fracasso, especialistas apontam erros 30 anos após última viagem". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2025-02-17. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  22. 1 2 3 importacao (2011-11-21). "Características Físicas e Operacionais". Metrofor - Metrô e VLTs no Ceará (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  23. 1 2 "EMTU | Empreendimentos - VLT da Baixada Santista - Veículo Leve sobre Trilhos". www.emtu.sp.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  24. ↑ "EMTU | Redes de Transporte - VLT da Baixada Santista". www.emtu.sp.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  25. 1 2 3 "Sobre". mobilidade.grupoccr.com.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  26. ↑ "Mapas". mobilidade.grupoccr.com.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  27. 1 2 3 "VLT / MONOTRILHO DE SALVADOR". ba.gov.br. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Metrô de Teresina: o último repositório dos trens húngaros (1988-1991) - Teresina Antiga". teresinaantiga.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  29. ↑ MT, Lislaine dos AnjosDo G1 (2016-02-16). "Justiça Federal prorroga suspensão de obra do VLT na Grande Cuiabá". Mato Grosso (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  30. 1 2 "Terminais do VLT Cuiabá". Fernandes / Arquitetos Associados. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  31. ↑ "VLT de Cuiabá vai contar com 33 estações e passará a cada 4 minutos". www.mobilize.org.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  32. 1 2 3 "Linhas CPTM". CPTM. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  33. 1 2 3 "ViaMobilidade 8 e 9". mobilidade.grupoccr.com.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  34. 1 2 3 "ViaMobilidade 5". mobilidade.grupoccr.com.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  35. ↑ "Portal CBTU - Sistemas". intranet.cbtu.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  36. ↑ "Portal CBTU - Sistemas". intranet.cbtu.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  37. ↑ "Resumo do Relatório Técnico Interligação dos Ramais Deodoro e Santa Cruz" (PDF). SuperVia Trens Urbanos. Jun 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  38. ↑ www.sirius.com.br, Sirius Interativa-. "Mapa de linhas". SuperVia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  39. ↑ www.sirius.com.br, Sirius Interativa-. "Dados operacionais". SuperVia (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  40. ↑ "Água vaza sobre passageiros dentro de trem da Supervia". O Globo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  41. 1 2 3 4 "Portal CBTU - Natal". intranet.cbtu.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  42. 1 2 3 "Portal CBTU - Maceió". intranet.cbtu.gov.br. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 Minas, Estado de (2023-09-01). "H 65 anos, o Barreiro teve o seu pr prio 'metr '". Estado de Minas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
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