Brazil's Urban Rail Network Grows Above Average, but Expansion Remains Modest for Major Cities - Folha de S.Paulo

Brazil's urban rail network grew by 15.4 kilometers in the first half of the year, above the average of the past ten years, but the expansion remains insufficient to meet the needs of metropolitan regions. The country reached 1,160.1 kilometers of urban rail tracks, operated by 23 train, subway, light rail and monorail systems, compared with 1,144.7 kilometers at the end of last year.

The decade's average is 12.9 kilometers per year, below what cities need, says Ana Patrizia Lira, president of ANPTrilhos. In 2025, just 7.2 kilometers were added. According to her, the figures show that demand exists, "but historically, the network has not grown fast enough to meet it."

The country has 52 lines across 73 municipalities in 12 federal units, up from 49 the previous year, thanks to Line 4-Orange in Fortaleza, the first section of Salvador's light rail system and Line 17-Gold in São Paulo, all operating on a trial basis. Another 17 projects under construction will add 174.2 kilometers and 115 stations.

During the first half of the year, the system carried 1.3 billion passengers, up 2.7%, driven by São Paulo (+3.1%, to 1.003 billion). Rio de Janeiro (3.2%) and Rio Grande do Sul (6.5%) also recorded increases, while the Federal District, Pernambuco, Minas Gerais, Ceará, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte saw declines.