São Paulo government contracts consortium to install subway platform doors

São Paulo state contracted a consortium to install doors on subway platform in 36 stations, including lines No.1, No. 2 and No. 3 of the capital, investing 342mn reais (US$$90mn).

“It is worth mentioning that the safety equipment will allow the reduction of the number of interferences, increasing the regularity of train traffic and user safety,” the government said.

Kobra Consortium will carry out the works. It was selected via an international bidding process lasting 56 months. The contract includes development and approval, manufacture and installation, testing, commissioning and operating the system.

According to the contract, the doors must be 2.1m high, must have sensors to detect movement in the gap between the trains and the doors, and be of modular structure to facilitate assembly and installation logistics so train operations aren’t disturbed during installation.

CONTROVERSIES

Kobra comprises local companies MG Engenharia and Husk Eletrometalúrgica, along with two South Korean companies.

On the of founders of MG Engenharia, Francisco Germano Batista da Silva, a former OAS Engenharia director, is under investigation for alleged wrongdoing in Rodoanel contracts.

Batista da Silva left MG Engenharia at the end of 2018 but put his son at the company's helm, according to O Estado de S. Paulo newspapers.

Responding to a query from BNamericas, the state government ruled out any wrongdoing in the tender process.