THE Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has signed a contract with the Nova Via Mobilidade consortium to operate the 270km five-line commuter network serving 104 stations the city of Rio de Janeiro. The new contact is worth Reais 660m ($US 126.1m) and has a term of five years with a five-year extension option.
Following the signing of the contract on March 12, a 90-day transition period is now underway. Nova Via Mobilidade is working alongside SuperVia, which has operated the network since 1998, to ensure that there is no disruption to services, which carry around 300,000 passengers a day with a fleet of 201 trains.
Nova Via Mobilidade was the sole bidder for the contract, offering 0.06% less than the maximum specified cost per train-km of Reais 17.60. Under the terms of the contract, the Rio de Janeiro state government will set fares and retain ticket revenue, and will be responsible for implementing a Reais 652m investment programme that includes track renewals and upgrading overhead electrification equipment.
Nova Via Mobilidade has been formed by investment funds Nova Via and Magna, with operations subcontracted to Portuguese public transport group Barraqueiro. MPE Engenharia will be responsible for maintenance.
According to Rio de Janeiro state governor, Cláudio Castro, the contract represents “a new chapter” for the network and should improve the efficiency, safety and quality of commuter services.
The network has in recent years struggled with declining ridership, down from its record of 735,000 carried on August 17 2016. Concessionaire SuperVia has experienced financial difficulties, and has estimated that fare evasion is running at a level of 18,000 passengers a day.
High levels of crime on sections of the network have also been a persistent problem, according to local media reports, with cable theft and vandalism causing frequent delays and service cancellations.
