THE government of the Brazilian state of São Paulo has launched tendering for a concession valued at $US 60m to operate the 47km Campos do Jordão tourist railway.
Located in the Paraíba Valley region, the 1000mm-gauge line, electrified at 1.5kV dc overhead in 1924, links the cities of Pindamonhangaba and Campos do Jordão, one of São Paulo state’s main tourist destinations.
The concession is being managed by the state’s Investment Partnerships Programme (PPI-SP), and will be awarded through a competitive auction scheduled for April 29. The contract will have a 24-year term and covers the operation, maintenance and upgrade of the railway and associated assets.
The concessionaire will be required to invest in infrastructure upgrades, restoring rolling stock and improving passenger facilities. It will be responsible for operations, customer service and commercial development, while ownership of the railway assets remains with the state. Revenue will be generated primarily from ticket sales, tourism services and complementary commercial activities.
The São Paulo state government says the concession aims to reposition the railway as a multi-use leisure corridor, combining tourist train trips with visits to outdoor leisure attractions.
The Campos do Jordão line is currently operated by the state-owned EFCJ and carries mainly tourist traffic, using a mix of heritage rolling stock and electric traction. The concession process is intended to attract private-sector expertise to increase services, improve reliability and enhance the visitor experience.
