São Paulo Airport Train Line Runs Again

Brazil · São Paulo · Travel

Published Monday, 26 October, 11:20 a.m. ET · Source: Artesp (state transport regulator), CPTM (state rail company), Trivia Trens

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São Paulo’s airport trains are running again under the private company that lost them after a chaotic start. Trivia Trens, the operator of part of the city’s commuter rail, resumed Line 13-Jade and the Expresso Aeroporto on Monday, 26 October.

Line 13-Jade links the east of São Paulo to Guarulhos International Airport. The Expresso Aeroporto is the airport express service from central São Paulo.

Why Did the Airport Trains Change Hands Twice?

Trivia took over Lines 11-Coral, 12-Safira and 13-Jade on 21 July. Within the first three days, breakdowns interrupted service and a train caught fire.

Artesp ordered CPTM to take the lines back, and Trivia then retrained its operating and maintenance staff and gave the regulator a plan to fix its procedures.

The plan covered emergencies, such as moving passengers between trains and handling a fault in the overhead power line.

How Did Trivia Win the Airport Line Back?

From 6 October, CPTM staff watched Trivia run Line 13-Jade and the airport express under Artesp supervision. That trial lasted 20 days and ended on Sunday, 25 October.

Under the schedule Artesp set, Trivia resumed operating both services on Monday, three months after the regulator pulled it from the job.

What Happens to Lines 11 and 12?

The two other lines will take longer. CPTM will keep inspectors on site, full time, until 25 November.

On 26 November Trivia is due to run all three lines under assisted operation, still under Artesp watch. Both dates come from the state schedule.

Are the Fire and Breakdown Probes Over?

No. Artesp runs two separate cases from the July failures, and both are still open.

One is a sanctions process that looks at how Trivia responded to the incidents. The other, by the agency’s permanent safety commission, known as Copese, looks for the technical causes.

What It Means for US Readers

If you fly into or out of Guarulhos (GRU), the rail option is open again on both airport services. It avoids São Paulo’s road traffic, though it only helps if you live or stay near the rail corridor.

The company has just been through three months of scrutiny, so a prudent traveller keeps a buffer on the way to a flight. A ride-hailing app on the phone is a sensible back-up.

For expats living along Lines 11, 12 and 13, the next date to watch is 26 November. Our report on the Guarulhos airport people mover covers the other rail project at the airport, and our Brazil hub follows the wider story.

What Is Not Known

It is not yet clear whether Trivia could face fines or lose its concession, the contract that lets it run the lines. It is also unclear when the two investigations will report.

Nobody can yet say whether Trivia will hold the 26 November date. That depends on how the first weeks on Line 13-Jade go.

Sources

Artesp, São Paulo state transport regulator · CPTM, state commuter rail company · Trivia Trens, concession operator

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the São Paulo airport train running again?

Yes. Trivia Trens resumed operating Line 13-Jade and the Expresso Aeroporto on Monday, 26 October, after 20 days of supervised running.

When will Trivia run Lines 11 and 12 again?

CPTM supervises both lines in person until 25 November. Trivia is due to take full charge of all three lines on 26 November under assisted operation.