São Paulo adds three stations to metro Line 5

SÃO Paulo Metro opened a 2.8km northeastern extension of Line 5 on September 6, adding three new stations to the city’s steadily expanding metro network.

The new stations at Alto da Boa Vista, Borba Gato and Brooklin are expected to serve 60,000 passengers per day, and while trains initially run in assisted operation, the stations will be open free of charge from Monday to Saturday, including public holidays, from 10.00 to 15.00.

The extension is the first phase of an 11km, 11-station underground expansion of Line 5 from Adolfo Pinheiro to Chácara Klabin. The project includes the acquisition of 26 new trains, implementation of communications-based train control (CBTC), and construction of the Guido Caloi maintenance depot.

Investment in the entire project is worth Reais 9.97bn ($US 3.22bn), and when completed, around 800,000 daily passengers are expected to use the 20km, 17-station line from Capão Redondo to Chácara Klabin.

Dubbed the “health line,” Line 5 will provide access to major hospital complexes. In addition to existing interchanges with suburban Line 9, it will also connect with the Line 1 (Blue) and Line 2 (Green) and the future Line 17 (Gold) monorail at Campo Belo station.

The expansion of Line 5 has introduced a new architectural concept, which focuses on sustainability and integration of the external landscape in the internal environment, into São Paulo’s underground stations. In order to offer greater comfort to users and employees, the stations use natural light throughout by integrating glass and skylights, which have also helped to reduce energy consumption.