Spotlight: Brazil's rail projects on track for 2028

The Brazilian passenger rail segment, comprising subways, light railways and urban trains, is set to see the opening of a string of projects through 2028. 

"The addition of new train lines and stations is likely to help the sector recover the passenger volume that has been lost since the COVID-19 pandemic," Joubert Flores, president of local passenger transport association ANPTrilhos, told BNamericas.

According to Flores, in January-June, railways transported 1.25bn passengers, up 4.4% compared to the same period in 2023. However, the level was still 20% below what it was before the pandemic.

"We have a new reality with more adoption of home office and more online shopping, so the volume of passengers will only return to pre-pandemic levels if we add new passengers to the system, with new lines," added Flores.

According to the association head, development bank BNDES has played a key role in the recovery of the sector, both by financing investments in ongoing projects and helping local governments structure new projects.

BNamericas takes a look at the rail projects expected to be opened in the coming years, according to information from ANPTrilhos. 

Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state

– Extension of line No. 1 by 1.6km with one more station. Opening is due in 2026.

– Building the 10.5km line No. 2 with seven stations. Opening is due in 2028.

Santos, coastal city in São Paulo state 

– 7km section 2 of light rail line with 12 stations. Opening is due this year.

São Paulo metropolitan region 

– The 4.3km extension of line No. 9-emerald between Grajaú and Varginha, with one new station. Opening is due this year.

– The People Mover, a 2.6km link connecting the existing line to Guarulhos international airport with four stations. Opening is due this year.

– Line No. 17-gold linking Congonhas airport with the Washington Luís-Morumbi line. Running 6.7km, it involves eight stations. Opening is due in 2026.

– The 4.6km Ipiranga-Jacu-Pêssego section of line No.15-silver. It will have three stations and opening is set for 2027.

– Expansion of line No. 2-green’s 8km Vila Prudente-Penha section with eight stations. Opening is due 2028.

– Line No. 6-orange, to be built in two stages. The 9.1km stage 1 will have eight stations and is due to be opened in 2026. The 5.9km stage 2 will have seven stations and opening is planned for 2027.

Fortaleza, capital of Ceará state 

– The airport branch of the northeast line, the 2.4km Parangaba-Mucuripe light rail link with two stations. Opening is planned for this year.

– Construction of the 7.3km east line of the metro with four stations. Opening is set for 2026.

Teresina metropolitan area, Piauí state

– 2.5km extension of metro line No. 1 with one station. Opening is planned for this year.

– Modernization of line No. 1 to be concluded in 2026.

Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte state 

– The 4.1km purple line with three stations. To be opened in 2025.

Salvador, capital of Bahia state

Construction of the light rail system in Salvador and its metropolitan region in three stages:

– Stage 1. São João island running for 16.7km and with one station to be opened in 2027.

– Stage 2. The 9.2km Paripe and Águas Claras stretch to be opened in 2028.

– Stage 3. The 10.5km Águas Claras-Piatã stretch to be opened in 2028.

Brasília

– Expansion and modernization of line No. 1 of the federal district metro’s 3.6km Samambaia section with two stations. Opening is set for 2028.