Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
The Vale Train That Connects São Luís (MA) to Parauapebas (PA) Will Make the Longest Passenger Journey in South America, With Almost 1,000 Kilometers, Daily Operation and 27 Cities Connected Between Maranhão and Pará.
The Carajás Railway (EFC) passenger train, operated by Vale, will carry out the longest passenger rail journey in South America.
The line connects São Luís (MA) to Parauapebas (PA), crossing 27 municipalities and completing the trip in about 16 hours.
The service, which currently operates on alternate days, will become daily starting in 2026, according to a commitment made in the early renewal contract of the company’s concessions.
-
In A European City, The Country’s Largest Railway Junction Was Modernized Without Closing Its Doors, Kept Trains Running During Years Of Construction, Now Serves Up To 60,000 Passengers Per Day, And Installed Solar Panels That Generate About 30% Of Its Energy
-
Famous Brazilian Railway May Become a Parking Lot
-
The Country of “Punctual As a Train” Admits It Has Lost Control: High-Speed Trains Delay, Stop, Disappear from the Map and Turn 6-Hour Trips into 10, While Deutsche Bahn Promises Restructuring in 2026 But Faces 19th Century Infrastructure, Staff Shortages and Sections Closed for Months
-
With an Investment of R$ 700 Million in One of the Country’s Main Rail Networks, VLI Reinforces Infrastructure, Receives 8 New Locomotives, and Expands the Corridor Connecting 7 States, Boosting Jobs and the Transportation of Grains, Ore, and Oil Products to the Port of Santos
Operation and Schedule
Currently, the train departs São Luís on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from Parauapebas on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The daily operation will begin in 2026, according to information from Vale and the Ministry of Transportation.
The change was stipulated in the contractual renewal signed in 2020, which guaranteed the miner an extension of the railway concession for another 30 years, in exchange for investments in infrastructure and the expansion of passenger services.
Extension, Travel Time and Structure
The EFC route is nearly 1,000 kilometers long and traverses urban and rural areas of the states of Maranhão and Pará.
The complete journey lasts, on average, about 16 hours, depending on operational conditions.
The trains are equipped with air conditioning, a restaurant car, and seating divided between economy and executive classes, with a total capacity of over 1,300 passengers.
According to Vale, each passenger can carry one suitcase weighing up to 35 kilograms and one carry-on bag at no additional charge.
Boarding is permitted upon presentation of a government-issued photo ID.
Fares and Demand
The fare for the entire route between São Luís and Parauapebas is R$ 90 in economy class and R$ 170 in executive class.
According to Vale data, 423,000 passengers used the service in 2024, a number that represents the highest volume since the beginning of the railway’s commercial operation.
The increase in demand, according to the company, is related to the regularity of the service and the affordability of the fares, which remain below the average price of bus tickets on the same route.
Regional Importance
The Carajás Railway is one of the main transportation routes for cargo and passengers in the North of the country.
Experts in infrastructure and railway transport point out that the route plays a significant role in regional integration and the flow of mineral production.
In addition to connecting hard-to-reach communities, the train also offers a mode of transport considered more stable over long distances, according to data from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Vitória–Minas: The Second Longest Journey
The Vitória–Minas train (EFVM), also operated by Vale, is currently the only daily passenger service in Brazil.
The route spans 664 kilometers, connecting Belo Horizonte (MG) to Cariacica (ES), with an average travel time of 13 hours.
The service consists of cars with air conditioning, numbered seats, and a restaurant car, as well as offering social fares for residents in the areas served.
New Night Schedule
Starting in January 2026, Vale will implement a second daily schedule on the Vitória–Minas route, with night trips in both directions.
According to the company, the new shift will cater to the high demand during holiday periods, especially in January and July, and may be extended based on performance evaluation.
Ticket sales for the night service are scheduled to begin on November 15, 2025.
Current fares are R$ 81 in economy class and R$ 116 in executive class.
Each passenger can board with one suitcase weighing up to 32 kilograms and one personal bag, in accordance with the railway’s baggage policies.
The Longest Route in South America
With approximately 998 kilometers of total length, according to railway sector studies, the Carajás Railway is considered the longest passenger line in South America in regular operation.
Data from the ANTT and Vale confirms that the EFC surpasses other routes in operation on the continent, both in length and travel time.
Technical records indicate a variation between 979 and 998 kilometers, depending on the method of measuring the network.
Prospects and Impacts
According to the Ministry of Transportation, the daily operation is expected to increase the supply of seats and facilitate the commuting of residents in communities served by the 27 cities along the route.
Ministry technicians believe that this measure may improve integration between modes and reduce the average waiting time for those using the train as the primary means of transport.
In the view of logistics experts, increasing the frequency of trips is likely to optimize the use of existing infrastructure and allow for a more efficient maintenance planning.
The project is part of the investment plan included in the renewals of Vale’s railway concessions, approved by the ANTT and the federal government.
Services and Operational Standards
The trains of the EFC and EFVM adhere to safety standards set by the ANTT.
The compositions are equipped with electronic monitoring systems and periodic maintenance procedures.
The stations have climate-controlled boarding areas, dedicated ticket offices, and priority assistance for people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women.
According to Vale’s information, passengers can purchase tickets at the stations or through the company’s official website.
On both routes, it is possible to buy partial tickets for intermediate segments, depending on seat availability.
-
Uma pessoa reagiu a isso.