[ UrbanRail.Net ]     [ Europe ] [ America ] [ Asia ] [ Africa ] [ Oceania ]     [ News ] [ Books ] [ Links ]

Fortaleza metropolitan area - estimated population 3.6 million

A former suburban network of two lines is being converted into a modern metro system. The metre-gauge is maintained but all routes have to be double-tracked. The 24.1 km Linha Sul (Southern Line), the first of the two lines to be converted, is being diverted into the city centre via a 3.9 km long tunnel, with 4 underground stations, all with 110 m long platforms.

Once planned to open in mid-2002, another financial injection was approved in Jan. 2009 to complete the initial section in 2010, and the first section finally opened with a limited trial service on 15 June 2012 from Parangaba to Carlito Benevides (formerly Vila das Flores), with the next section to Benfica following in Sept 2012.

Stations from south to north: Carlito Benevides (formerly Vila das Flores); Jereissati; Maracanaú; Virgílio Távora (formerly Novo Maracanaú); Rachel de Queiroz (formerly Pajuçara); Alto Alegre; Aracapé; Esperança (formerly Conjunto Esperança); Mondubim; Manoel Sátiro; Vila Pery; Parangaba; Couto Fernandes, Porangabussu; Benfica; São Benedito; José de Alencar (formerly Lagoinha) and Estação Central – Chico da Silva (formerly João Felipe).

A fleet of 20 air-conditioned 3-car trains was supplied by Ansaldobreda.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

15 June 2012: Parangaba - Carlito Benevides (limited trial service)
28 Sept 2012: Parangaba - Benfica (limited trial service 08:00-12:00)

 Projects

Rolling stock previously serving the Southern Line is being overhauled and transfered to the West Line which will also be double-tracked to allow a 20-minute interval. In a later stage, the West Line will be electrified and the metro system extended to 43 km.

Linha Leste (Eastern Line) was announced in Feb. 2012: 12.4 km mostly underground, running from Chico da Silva along avenida Santos Dumont to Fórum Clóvis Beviláqua in the district of Edson Queiroz (12 stations, of which 11 underground: Chico da Silva, Sé, Luiza Távora, Colégio Militar, Nunes Valente, Leonardo Mota, Papicu, HGF, Cidade 2000, Bárbara de Alencar, CEC, Edson Queiroz)

Ceará State Government

Metrô de Fortaleza at Wikipedia.pt