Alstom has delivered the inaugural train for São Paulo’s Line 6-Orange, part of a fleet of 22 six-car trains produced at its Taubaté manufacturing facility in São Paulo state. Each train can accommodate up to 2,044 passengers and reach speeds of 90 km/h. The new metro line is expected to serve around 633,000 commuters daily.
The trains, crafted from stainless steel and painted bright orange to reflect the line’s identity, are lighter than previous models with carbon steel bodies, offering improved energy efficiency and enhanced passenger comfort. Designed for durability, these trains are built to last over four decades.
Developed using advanced virtual simulation tools, Alstom’s engineers were able to optimize key features such as seating arrangements, handrail placement, safety equipment, and component layout before production began.
Suely Sola, General Director of Alstom Brazil, said, “With 70 years of experience in Brazil’s rail sector, this project highlights our ongoing commitment to innovation and investment in urban mobility. Line 6-Orange represents a major advancement for public transport in Latin America, reinforcing our dedication to São Paulo and the country’s future.”
Jaime Juraszek, CEO of the project’s concessionaire, Concessionária Linha Uni, remarked, “The arrival of the first train marks a significant milestone towards launching Line 6 services. This is a proud moment for the Brasilândia neighborhood and all of São Paulo, signaling progress in the city’s mobility landscape.”
Known as the “university line,” Line 6 will connect seven higher education institutions as well as schools near Avenida Paulista. Research by the São Paulo State Government found that more than 40% of trips on this line will involve students and young adults aged 18 to 24.
Stretching 15 kilometers with 15 stations, Line 6 links the northern Brasilândia district to São Joaquim Station in the city center. It will cut current travel times from around 90 minutes by bus to just 23 minutes by metro. This public-private partnership is the largest infrastructure project underway in Latin America, creating over 10,000 jobs. The Concessionaire will operate the line for 19 years after completion.
Since opening in 2015, Alstom’s Taubaté plant has become a center of excellence for stainless steel rail cars. Located near major highways and the Port of Santos—the largest port in Latin America—it’s strategically positioned for both domestic and international projects.
The facility gained recognition by producing 27 Citadis trams for Rio de Janeiro’s light rail system ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics, delivering the project ahead of schedule. This was one of the world’s first fully catenary-free tram networks. The plant also manufactured NS16 trains for Santiago’s metro system in Chile.
In 2022, following a R$100 million expansion, the plant increased production capacity to meet growing demand. To date, over 170 trains (more than 940 cars) have been built here for cities including São Paulo, Santiago, Taipei, and Bucharest, underscoring Taubaté’s role in global rail mobility.
Active in Brazil since 1955, Alstom has played a key role in developing the country’s rail infrastructure while supporting social and environmental progress. The company leads the Latin American rail sector with the largest signaling network, covering over 6,000 kilometers of track and more than 2,000 onboard systems.
Alstom supplies rolling stock and signaling technology to major urban centers including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Fortaleza, Recife, and Brasília. Its expertise extends throughout Latin America and worldwide, with projects in South Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, the U.S., Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Romania, and Taiwan.
