The long-awaited Intercity Train finally has a launch date! Promising journeys in just 64 minutes, Tarcísio de Freitas' billion-dollar project connects São Paulo to Campinas, with an impact on the state's mobility and economy. Could this be the future of Brazilian rail transport?
In the interior of São Paulo, an ambitious project is coming to fruition and promises to change forever the way residents get around.
O governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, presented details about the construction of the long-awaited Intercity Train (TIC), which promises to be a milestone in Brazilian transportation.
Amid billions in investments, challenging deadlines and international partnerships, the announcement rekindled hopes and generated debate about the future of urban mobility in the state.
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“The dream of the Intercity Train is finally becoming a reality. We are allocating R$3,2 billion to the first phase of this transformative project,” said Tarcísio during a recent event.
The governor highlighted that the train is a solution not only for mobility, but also for the economic development of the regions served.
What we know about the project
The Intercity Train will connect São Paulo to Campinas in just 64 minutes, offering fast and comfortable journeys.
The 101-kilometer route will start at Barra Funda station, in São Paulo, and continue to Campinas, with a strategic stop in Jundiaí.
According to the notice, the project includes two types of services:
- The express train, which will serve the São Paulo-Campinas route at high speed.
- The intermetropolitan train (TIM), which will pass through cities such as Jundiaí, Louveira, Vinhedo and Valinhos, connecting passengers to the state's economic hub.
O total investment is estimated at R$ 14,2 billion, with the C2 Mobilidade sobre Trilhos consortium, winner of the concession, being responsible for operating the trains for the next 30 years.
A powerful technological solution
Composed of the Brazilian company Comporte and the Chinese giant CRRC, the consortium promises to implement cutting-edge technologies in the project.
CRRC, which has supplied trains to Rio de Janeiro and operates in more than 100 countries, is known for its expertise in developing modern locomotives.
The trains will have the capacity to transport 860 seated passengers and will operate at intervals of up to 15 minutes during peak hours.
The maximum speed will be 140 km/h, making the TIC the fastest rail transport in operation in Brazil.
Economic and environmental impact
In addition to speeding up transportation, the Intercity Train promises to generate jobs, increase property values and attract investment to the region.
Governor Tarcísio highlighted that the project will play a crucial role in reducing traffic on highways and pollutant emissions, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability.
According to experts, an efficient railway system is essential to decongest roads and offer an alternative to road transport, which still dominates logistics in Brazil.
History of challenges on the São Paulo/Campinas train
Although the announcement is promising, the Intercity Train has faced a long history of delays. Since 2013, state and federal governments have been debating the viability of the project.
Initially promised for 2014, the train's announcement was postponed several times and its scope underwent significant changes.
In 2019, Tarcísio de Freitas, then Minister of Infrastructure, defended the use of private concessions to make the project viable.
In 2022, Governor Rodrigo Garcia signed agreements that gave new impetus to the TIC.
It was only in 2024 that the auction was held, consolidating the C2 Mobilidade consortium as the system operator.
What will the train service be like?
In addition to the express train, the consortium will also manage the Line 7-Ruby, which connects Luz station, in São Paulo, to the Jundiaí region.
The integration of express, intermetropolitan and regular line services promises to create a cohesive railway system, serving millions of passengers per year.
The intermetropolitan service will begin operating in 2029, while the express train is expected to open in 2031. The price of the express ticket is estimated at R$64.
A promising future for mobility
TIC is not just a means of transportation; it is an opportunity for Brazil to rethink its mobility and infrastructure policies.
With the demand for sustainable transport increasing, initiatives like this can pave the way for a new era in urban and intercity travel.
Will the Intercity Train be able to deliver on its promises of reducing travel times and boosting the regional economy, or will it face the same obstacles that delayed its implementation?
I wouldn't have any dreams about this fraudulent concession
Okay, the dream is over.
Go get it from another bakery