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The VLT project will have 12 km of tracks, 27 stops and capacity for 134 thousand passengers per day. The urban planning study has been completed and the city is betting on revitalizing the city center based on international models.
The historic center of the capital of São Paulo will be completely reimagined in the coming years with the arrival of the VLT (Light Rail Vehicle), called “São Paulo Tram”. The city government released details of the project in March 2025, with an expected investment of R$4 billion and delivery estimated for 2027.
According to the municipal administration and the official website of the City of São Paulo (capital.sp.gov.br), the new VLT promises to significantly improve urban mobility in the central region, in addition to boosting the reoccupation of properties and boosting the local economy.
The VLT structure will have two lines, 27 stops and high-capacity trains
The project foresees the construction of two 6 km lines, totaling 12 km of tracks in operation. According to the Via Trolebus portal, which also covered the official presentation, the system will have 27 stops along the route, connecting neighborhoods such as Brás, Bom Retiro, Santa Cecília, Campos Elíseos and the Luz region.
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The operation will be carried out by nine trains, each with five cars and a total capacity for 447 passengers. According to the CPTM Metro, the expectation is to serve up to 134 thousand people per day, operating from 6 am to midnight. Accessibility and comfort are also strong points, with 100% air-conditioned vehicles equipped with low floors.
The model is inspired by international experiences such as Bilbao and Seville, in Spain, as well as Bordeaux, in France, where the VLT was one of the main catalysts for urban reoccupation. Mayor Ricardo Nunes reinforced that the system is not only a mode of transport, but a key piece in the urban redevelopment project of downtown São Paulo.
The requalification of degraded areas and the promotion of housing in the city center are clear goals of the initiative. The urban study was completed in March by SP Urbanismo and officially published on the city's website.
Total investment is R$4 billion, with expected returns through advertising and naming rights
According to Folha de S.Paulo, the estimated investment is R$4 billion, considering construction, acquisition of trains, signaling, stations, paving and urban restructuring. The monthly operating cost will be R$170 thousand per kilometer, as disclosed in a technical document from SPTrans.
To ensure financial sustainability over the years, the city government intends to explore naming rights, static and digital advertising, leasing of commercial spaces in stations and ventures associated with the VLT route. The expectation is that annual fare revenue will be between R$80 million and R$120 million, as indicated by the Metrô CPTM portal in a survey published on March 23, 2025.
The project also envisages the creation of commercial hubs in currently unoccupied areas, attracting private investment and expanding the range of services. According to the Via Trolebus website, these hubs will be integrated into the transport system, following the concept of “travel with experience”.
The system will be operated through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), which must be put out to tender by the first half of 2026. Interested companies have already begun negotiations with the municipal administration, as reported by sources from the Metropolitan Transport Secretariat.
Urban planning project foresees complete requalification of downtown SP by 2027
According to the Capital SP portal, the project is part of the city center's restructuring plan, which includes housing reoccupation, improvements in public safety and non-motorized mobility, such as bike paths integrated into the VLT route. The “Bonde São Paulo” was conceived as a vector for urban transformation.
The urban planning study, completed in March 2025, involved mapping underutilized properties, defining priority areas for redevelopment, and designing new stations with a focus on sustainable architecture. The idea is for the stations to function as community centers, with green areas, natural lighting, and integration with public spaces.
The city government says that the VLT will be implemented without the need for mass expropriations, taking advantage of existing streets and avenues. Construction work is expected to begin in the second half of 2025 and is expected to be completed in two years.
According to a study published by SP Urbanismo, for every R$1 invested in urban infrastructure in the center, there is an average return of R$2,70 in economic development. This data was presented during a public hearing held on March 21, reinforcing the potential of the VLT to boost the local economy.
This project is fantastic. It will be a success and São Paulo deserves it.
Necessary project for a city like SP.