BRAZIL: São Paulo Metro began public consultation for its planned extension of Line 2 on November 7, with the presentation of the environmental impact report into the project.
The 14·2 km extension from Vila Prudente to Dutra is intended to serve the northeastern part of the city, including the rapidly-expanding districts around Guarulhos, which are under-served by rail at present. The extension is projected to increase Line 2 ridership from the current 670 000 passengers/day to around 1·7 million. Completion is envisaged by 2019.
To minimise environmental impact, the extension would run entirely in tunnel. It would be built in two stages, starting with a 5·5 km section from the current eastern terminus at Vila Prudente, where interchange will be provided with the Tiradentes monorail now designated Line 15. The extension would run north to Vila Formosa, adding four stations including an interchange with the proposed Line 6 at Anália Franco.
The 8·7 km second phase would continue Line 2 northwards from Vila Formosa to Dutra, where a new depot and workshop complex is envisaged. This would add another eight stations, providing interchange to Line 3 and CPTM's suburban Line 11 at Penha, as well as Line 12 at Tiquatera. Connections would also be provided with the proposed Line 13 to Guarulhos airport.
To work the extended line, operator CMSP envisages ordering a further 27 six-car trainsets.
Meanwhile, work is now underway on the long-planned eastern extension of Line 5, which will connect this isolated line in the southwest of the city to the rest of the metro network. To be finished by 2014, the Line 5 extension from Largo Treze will meet Line 1 at Santa Cruz and Line 2 at Chacara Klabin. New trains are already on order from CAF to operate this line, with delivery due to begin in 2013.
