São Paulo plans US$760mn light rail project

São Paulo is planning a 12km light rail project that would connect the city center’s key transportation points.

The project would cost an estimated 3.7bn reais (US$760mn) to build, a spokesperson from city hall confirmed to BNamericas.  

Around 1.4bn reais is expected to come from the federal government through the PAC growth acceleration program, and the remainder from São Paulo, said the spokesperson.

The idea is to integrate the main bus, train and subway stations, “with a fast transport option for those who need to travel around the center," said municipal secretary Clodoaldo Pelissioni in a statement.

According to the initial studies, there would be two lines with 27 stations connecting to five bus terminals, nine subway stations and two train stations. 

The municipality has created a group of multiple secretaries to monitor the development of the project.

In the coming months, city hall will open a public comments process to get feedback from stakeholders. A project timetable has not yet been released by the local authorities.