Commercial operations have commenced on the first section of São Paulo’s Line 6-Orange metro, with trains manufactured at Alstom’s facility in Taubaté, Brazil.
The newly opened section runs between Brasilândia and Perdizes and forms part of a public-private partnership between the São Paulo State Government and the Linha Universidade concessionaire. The launch represents the first phase of a metro line designed to improve public transport links across the city.
Alstom is supplying a total of 22 six-car Metropolis trains for the line. The company has delivered 12 trains so far, with deliveries having started in July 2025. The trains underwent testing to assess performance, reliability and safety before entering service.
Each train can carry up to 2,044 passengers and has a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h. Constructed from stainless steel, the trains are designed to reduce weight, improve energy efficiency and provide a service life of more than 40 years. The interior has been developed with a focus on passenger comfort, accessibility and safety, using virtual reality simulations during the design process.
The Line 6-Orange project has involved more than 120 suppliers across Brazil and has supported around 5,000 jobs.
When fully completed, the 15.3km line will include 15 stations, linking the Brasilândia district in northern São Paulo with São Joaquim station in the city centre. The journey is expected to take around 23 minutes, compared with up to 90 minutes by bus. The line is forecast to carry approximately 633,000 passengers each day.
Often referred to as the “University Line,” the route will provide connections to at least seven higher education institutions, along with several schools near Avenida Paulista, improving access to education and employment across the city.
The civil engineering works are being carried out by ACCIONA, while Alstom is responsible for supplying the rolling stock.
Suely Sola General Director of Alstom Brazil said:The inauguration of the first section of Line 6-Orange is a very special moment for Alstom. For over 70 years in Brazil, we have actively participated in the construction and evolution of rail mobility in the country, and it is a source of pride to see trains manufactured in Taubaté entering operation in this emblematic project for São Paulo.
The trains supplied for Line 6-Orange are based on Alstom’s Metropolis platform, which is used on metro networks in cities around the world. The platform can be configured for different train lengths, power systems and operating requirements, including both manually operated and fully automated services.
Alstom’s manufacturing facility in Taubaté, which opened in 2015, specialises in the production of stainless steel passenger rail vehicles. The site has received investments of 130 million BRL (25 million USD) over the past four years and has produced, or is currently producing, more than 170 trains for domestic and international projects.
Alstom has operated in Brazil since 1955 and supplies rolling stock, signalling systems and other rail technologies for passenger transport networks across the country and in international markets.
