Thales will Install Rail Signalling System in Brazil

Thales has won a contract from Andrade Gutierrez (AG) and CR Almeida to deliver its SelTrac communications-based train control (CBTC) signalling solution for Line 17 of the São Paulo metro in Brazil.

The new 18km elevated line will be driverless and fully automatic and will be built by a consortium led by AG, and including CR Almeida, Scomi and MPE Group.

Thales Country Director in Brazil Laurent Mourre said, “This is the company’s first CBTC project in Brazil and we expect to win other projects to respond to the need to improve rail transportation infrastructure.

“With more than 40 years’ presence as a major supplier in the defence, aerospace and space sectors, we are now developing our position in the Brazilian transportation market with Thales’s state-of-the-art technologies,” he added.

The first phase of the project will be completed in 27 months in August 2014 to support FIFA World Cup traffic in Brazil.
Line 17 – Gold monorail system will be served 18 stations and connect Congonhas International Airport to the metro rail network.
The line spans from Jabaquara terminus station on Line 1 – Blue and terminates at Morumbi station of Line 4 – Yellow, passing through the southern and south-western part of the city.

The route will form an arch shape, linking four metro lines and three bus corridors connecting Line 1 at the Jabaquara station, Line 4 at São Paulo – Morumbi station, Line 5 at Água Espraiada station and Line 9 at Morumbi station.

Line 17 is one of three monorails being planned by São Paulo city. Upon completion it is expected to ferry 252,000 passengers a day.
Thales said the driverless train control technology offers low operation and maintenance costs, as well as a smoother travel experience for commuters.