Fortaleza Metro Information
The Metro service in Fortaleza, commonly referred to as the Metrofor network, is a forty-three kilometer long meter-gauge rail network in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza. The system has recently undergone modernization work with an aim to provide commuters with a comfortable and reliable transit service. The Fortaleza Metro network has two different lines to serve it: the South line and the West line. It began operation not too long ago, on the 24th of October 2012. Currently, it serves 28 stations in total. Expansion plans are already underway for this fast growing metro service, with another line called the East Line scheduled to begin operations by the year 2019.
Fortaleza Metro Lines
The metro currently operates on two lines: the South line and the West line. The South line that is twenty-four kilometers long provides passenger service between the Carlito Benevides region in Maracanau to the Chico da Silva-Central region in the downtown districts of Fortaleza. This is the first of the two lines to be upgraded to the standards of full-metro service. In the city center of Fortaleza, the route has been diverted over a stretch of four kilometers through a long tunnel with four stations to serve it. The West Line, on the other hand, is in operation mainly as a commuter line and runs for around nineteen kilometers. The route commences from Caucaia and terminates at the Joao Felipe station at present. Plans are in place to extend the network up to the Chico da Silva-Central station.
| Line | Termini | Opened | Length | Stations | Travel time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South (Sul) | Central – Chico da Silva ↔ Carlito Benevides | 2012 | 24.0 km (14.9 mi) | 18 | 33 |
| West (Oeste) | Caucaia ↔ João Felipe | 2014 | 19.0 km (11.8 mi) | 10 | 30 |
Future Lines (Metro)
| Line | Termini | Planned opening |
Length | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East (Leste) | Central – Chico da Silva ↔ Fórum Clóvis Beviláqua | 2019 | 12 km (7 mi) | 13 |
Future Lines (Light Rail)
| Line | Termini | Planned opening |
Length | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parangaba Mucuripe | Parangaba ↔ Mucuripe | 2014 | 12.7 km (7.9 mi) | 8 |
| Maranguape | Jereissati ↔ Maranguape | n/a | 7.2 km (4.5 mi) | 2 |
Fortaleza Metro Map
Map of Fortaleza Metro showing various lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download Fortaleza Metro map in PDF.
Fortaleza Metro Timings, Frequency and Schedule
The timings of the metro differ with the days. From Monday-Friday it begins operations at 6:00 am in the morning and runs till about 20:00 pm in the night. Saturday is actually like some kind of a half day where it begins operations at about 6:00 am as usual but runs till only 14:30 pm, approximately. The headway on Saturdays is 40 minutes.
For detailed information with regard to the schedule, you can visit the official website at: Monday-Friday: http://www.metrofor.ce.gov.br/images/stories/Menu-Servicos/horarios-metro-cariri-23042012.pdf
Saturday: http://www.metrofor.ce.gov.br/images/stories/Menu-Servicos/horario-passagens-cariri-sab.pdf
Fortaleza Metro Fares and Tickets
The standard ticket for all seasons called valley train, costs just R $1.00. For students, the metro is an even cheaper mode of transport costing just R $0.50. If a fake student id card is used to purchase a valley student ticket, it is considered a crime. Senior citizens above the age of 65, can travel for free.
For more information on the fares and tickets, you can visit the official website at: http://www.metrofor.ce.gov.br/index.php/bilhetes-precos-e-tipos.