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BNDES financing strengthens one of the largest urban projects in the country, which will connect Brasilândia to downtown São Paulo, accommodate up to 600,000 passengers per day, and cut more than 200,000 tons of CO₂ per year.
BNDES financed R$ 12.3 billion for the construction of the São Paulo Metro Line 6-Orange, and the first section of the project was inaugurated this Thursday, July 2, 2026, in a ceremony held at Santa Marina Station, in the western zone of the capital. Assisted operation began the following day, Friday, July 3, 2026, with six stations open to the public. The project is one of the largest ever undertaken in São Paulo and foresees a total investment of R$ 17 billion.
The stations included in this first stage are João Paulo I, Freguesia do Ó, Santa Marina, Água Branca, Sesc-Pompeia, and Perdizes. In practice, the initial section in operation connects João Paulo I to Perdizes, while the rest of the line is still under construction.
The project has financing of R$ 12.3 billion from BNDES and a total planned investment of R$ 17 billion, according to the bank. When fully completed, Line 6-Orange is expected to connect Brasilândia, in the northern zone, to São Joaquim Station, in the central region of São Paulo.
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The promise is to transform a journey that today can take about an hour and a half into a trip of approximately 23 minutes. Additionally, BNDES estimates that the line will serve about 600,000 passengers per business day and reduce more than 200,000 tons of CO₂ per year.
Six stations were delivered in the first section, but the line is not yet complete
The central point of the inauguration was the delivery of the first six stations of Line 6-Orange. They are part of the initial section between João Paulo I and Perdizes, which began operating in assisted mode starting July 3, 2026.
In this stage, passengers can travel through the stations João Paulo I, Freguesia do Ó, Santa Marina, Água Branca, Sesc-Pompeia, and Perdizes. The operation is free during the assisted period and takes place from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 3 pm, except on holidays.
This model functions as a testing phase with passengers before full operation. During this period, the safety, service, signaling, and train circulation systems are monitored in a real environment.
The opening does not mean that the entire Line 6-Orange is ready. The rest of the route is still under construction, with new deliveries expected until 2027.
What was delivered in July 2026 and what is yet to open
The delivery on July 2, 2026, marked the opening of the initial section between João Paulo I and Perdizes. This segment is important because it avoids confusion with the complete line route, which will be larger and will reach Brasilândia on one side and São Joaquim on the other.
According to information released by the São Paulo City Hall and the State Government, the operation began with the six stations already completed on the João Paulo I axis, Freguesia do Ó, Santa Marina, Água Branca, Sesc-Pompeia, and Perdizes.
Still in 2026, the forecast is to expand the operation to Brasilândia, with new deliveries in the northern section. The Itaberaba-Hospital Vila Penteado station is also included in the expansion plan for this year.
The full completion of Line 6-Orange, connecting Brasilândia to São Joaquim, is scheduled for 2027. When this happens, the branch will have 15.3 kilometers of extension, 15 underground stations, and 22 trains.
BNDES finances R$ 12.3 billion for Line 6-Orange
BNDES is one of the main financiers of the project. The bank reported that the project has R$ 12.3 billion in financing, within a total planned investment of R$ 17 billion.
Of the total financed, R$ 6.9 billion was contracted with the Concessionária Linha Universidade and R$ 5.4 billion with the São Paulo State Government. The construction is carried out by Acciona within a public-private partnership with the State.
Line 6-Orange is considered one of the largest urban mobility projects in the country and one of the largest under construction in Latin America. The branch was planned to connect densely populated neighborhoods in the northern zone, western zone, and central region of São Paulo.
The project should also create new connections with the metro-rail system. In the complete stage, the line will integrate with Line 1-Blue and Line 4-Yellow of the Metro, as well as connect with Line 7-Ruby of CPTM at Água Branca station.
Água Branca is one of the strategic points of the first stage
Among the six open stations, Água Branca plays a strategic role by allowing connection with Line 7-Ruby of CPTM. In this initial phase, the integration with the railway network charges a fare for those making the transfer.
Even so, the station already connects Line 6-Orange with one of the main railway links in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. This expands the reach of the new branch and creates an alternative for those traveling between the northern zone, western zone, and areas connected by CPTM.
The other stations also have significant local impact. João Paulo I and Freguesia do Ó serve areas with strong demand for public transportation. Santa Marina and Sesc-Pompeia connect to regions of high urban circulation. Perdizes brings the new branch closer to neighborhoods with a strong presence of services, commerce, universities, and cultural facilities.
Line 6 expected to serve 600,000 passengers per business day
When completed, Line 6-Orange is expected to transport about 600,000 passengers per business day, according to BNDES estimates. The number shows the expected impact on the urban mobility of the São Paulo capital.
The branch was designed to shorten travel time between Brasilândia and downtown São Paulo. Today, this route can take about an hour and a half by bus. With the complete line, the promise is to reduce the journey to less than half an hour.
This difference changes the routine of thousands of workers, students, and residents who depend on public transport to access jobs, education, public services, leisure, and health.
In addition to saving time, the line creates a high-capacity transport alternative in regions that have historically had less metro availability.
Project also promises to reduce CO₂ emissions
The environmental impact is another point used by BNDES to advocate for the financing of Line 6-Orange. The bank estimates that the project could reduce more than 200 thousand tons of CO₂ per year.
The logic is simple: the more people use rail transport, the less pressure there tends to be on individual commutes and travel by more polluting means. The metro also allows for transporting large volumes of passengers in less urban space.
According to BNDES, the estimated reduction in emissions equates to a significant environmental gain for a city with a large volume of daily commutes, traffic congestion, and high demand for public transport.
Early delivery corrects part of a wait that has lasted years
Line 6-Orange has been awaited for years by the residents of São Paulo’s capital. The project went through stoppages, contractual changes, and resumptions until reaching the stage of partial delivery in 2026.
The opening of the first six stations before the complete operation acts as an attempt to anticipate some of the benefits to passengers, even with the rest of the line still under construction.
Now, the assisted operation will serve to test the system with real users. At the same time, construction continues to advance on the section that will take the line to Brasilândia and then to São Joaquim.
The delivery in July 2026, therefore, does not represent the inauguration of the entire Line 6-Orange. It marks the beginning of the operation of the first section open to the public, between João Paulo I and Perdizes, with six stations in operation and an expected expansion until full completion in 2027.
When completed, the project is expected to transform one of the longest commutes in São Paulo’s capital, connect the northern zone to the center by rail, and put into operation one of the most relevant mobility projects in Brazil.
If you follow urban projects and transportation in São Paulo, it’s worth keeping an eye on the upcoming deliveries of Line 6 and sharing this news with those who depend on the metro every day.
