São Paulo subway operator moves forward with project to build new line

State-run subway operator Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo started the public consultation phase for the project to build line No. 20-pink, with a 31.1km extension.

Preliminary studies show annual benefits of 3.5bn reais (US$714mn) from the new line due to fuel savings, reduced pollution and improved transportation times, the subway operator said in a statement. 

The operator held a public consultation session at the beginning of the week and will hold one on January 29 and another on February 1, in municipalities where the line will be built.

The consultations are part of the process to obtain the environmental licenses for line No. 20 and the western extension of line No. 2-green that will be connected with the new line. This entails construction of 1.3km to connect the Vila Madalena station to Cerro Corá, in the city of São Paulo.

Line No. 20 is in the design phase and will have 24 stations, connecting Santa Marina in São Paulo city to Santo André municipality, passing through the city of São Bernardo do Campo.