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Historic Railway, After Decades of Abandonment, Is About to Be Reborn. Ambitious Projects Foresee the Expansion of the VLT and Even the Implementation of an Intercity Train.
At the Heart of the São Paulo Coast, an old railway, long forgotten, is once again drawing the interest of authorities and residents.
The Santos-Juquiá line, which once connected the Port of Santos to the interior of the state, may be about to receive new rails of hope.
Ambitious projects aim to transform this route into a modern transportation corridor, integrating Light Rail Vehicles (VLT) and the awaited Intercity Train.
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The Mayor of Praia Grande, Alberto Mourão (MDB), is firmly maintaining the plan to extend the VLT to his city.
Soon, he will meet with Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) to discuss the details of this expansion.
The proposal aims to benefit more than 70,000 local users and meet the growing demand from the municipalities of the South Coast, including Mongaguá, Itanhaém, and Peruíbe.
Currently, the VLT operates between Santos and São Vicente, transporting about 25,000 passengers daily.
VLT Expansion: A New Horizon for Praia Grande
According to the Praia Grande City Hall project, the VLT will cover approximately 25 km, starting at the Barreiros Bridge in São Vicente and going to the border with Mongaguá.
The route includes the construction of a 400-meter exclusive viaduct, connecting the system to an area previously used for growing chayotes.
From there, the route will proceed 3,280 meters to the Tude Bastos neighborhood, subsequently following the layout of the South Expressway to the Curva do S.
From that point on, the VLT will use the right of way of the old Santos-Juquiá railway, with Jardim Solemar as the final destination.
“Bringing the VLT to Praia Grande is more than a government goal; it is a crucial step to modernize the public transport of the city, facilitate the movement of residents, and reduce travel time between the municipalities of Baixada Santista,” said Mayor Mourão to the Contraponto column of Diário do Litoral.
For this, according to him, it is essential that we expand discussions and negotiations with the state government to make this long-awaited project viable.
Intercity Train: Connecting São Paulo to the Coast
At the same time, the São Paulo government is studying the implementation of the Intercity Train – South Axis, which will establish a railway link between the capital and Santos.
Three routes for descending the mountain are under analysis: via Paranapiacaba, via Parelheiros, or via Imigrantes Highway.
The last two options include the connection of the mountain to Mongaguá, using sections of the Santos-Juquiá railway, which is also considered for the VLT project.
A agreement signed between the state government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) provides for studies to determine the routes of the East and South axes of the Intercity Train.
The East axis will connect São Paulo to São José dos Campos.
According to Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, the choice of the best route will depend on the implementation costs and travel time of each alternative.
History of the Santos-Juquiá Railway
Originally known as Juquiá Branch, the Santos-Juquiá line is a São Paulo railway with a narrow gauge that connects the Port of Santos to the city of Juquiá, passing through municipalities like Itanhaém and Peruíbe.
In 1986, Fepasa expanded the railway with the construction of the Juquiá-Cajati Extension, adding about 70 km to the route and extending the line to Cajati, passing through Registro.
The railway operated passenger transport until the 1990s and freight until 2002.
Since then, it has remained inactive, with sections covered by vegetation and deteriorated structures.
Challenges and Perspectives for Revitalization
The reactivation of the Santos-Juquiá railway faces significant challenges.
Environmental, economic, and technical studies indicated the infeasibility of freight transportation in the section, currently under the responsibility of the Rumo concessionaire.
The estimated cost for the recovery of the line exceeds R$ 300 million.
However, experts evaluate that the investment could be offset by the implementation of a VLT between Santos and Itanhaém or Peruíbe, in addition to the possibility of tourist trains between the municipalities.
These initiatives could revitalize the local economy and offer sustainable transportation alternatives.
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