Sao Paulo Metro Information
The São Paulo Metro system was founded on 24th April 1968 and is the largest in Brazil and the main rapid transit system of São Paulo. It is the most popular means of Public transport in Sao Paulo. It also ranks as the third largest in Latin America and is the second largest metro system in South America. The system is distributed over five lines and stretches over 75.5 km. It serves a total number of 65 stations.As per 2013 statistics, the system had an average ridership of 4.6 million per weekday and had provided over 888.6 million rides. The metro system integrates with the urban heavy rail system. The metro system is considered to be one of the cleanest in the world and was voted as the Best Metro Americas in 2010, at the Metro Rail Industry Conference. The system is also interlinked with São Paulo Metropolitan Trains Company also known as CPTM which serves other municipalities also around São Paulo and cargo trains. The metro runs within the city limits and does not cover the entire urban area. It carries around 4,600,000 passengers per day. Both the Metro and CPTM operate as State owned companies. Expansion plans for the Metro system and CPTM heavy rail system are underway and it is expected to carry around 9.3 million average passengers per weekday by 2018.
The São Paulo State government, funds the Metro. The lines are considered average in terms of service. However, certain downtown stations and line 4 have better infrastructure as their usage is expected to be high.
Sao Paulo Metro Map
Map of Sao Paulo Metro showing various lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download Sao Paulo Metro Map in PDF.
Sao Paulo Metro Hours
The metro operates from 4.40 am to 12.20 am on Sundays to Fridays and from 4.40 am to 1.00 am on Saturday to Sunday. They are available at an interval of 3 to 5 minutes during rush hours and an interval of 1-2 minutes during the off peak times.
Sao Paulo Metro Fares, Tickets and Cards
In 2006, the São Paulo Metro system introduced Smart cards called ‘Bilhete Único’ or ‘Single Ticket’ in English. Since January 2014, the price of a single trip ticket is R$ 3.50. The tickets can also be purchased from automatic vending machines. Discounts are also available for senior citizens. In 2007, the metro also introduced BLA Leisure Ticket that provides discounts on Saturdays, from 6.00 pm until the end of working hours on Sunday, on the use of CPTM trains and Metro. There is also a Fidelity card that can be used on both CPTM and Metro and can be loaded for 8, 20 and 50 trips. For providing access to parking lots, the metro users have an E-Fácil card. When parking lots are accessed with this card, a fee is charged and the users are entitled to two trips on the public transport system. These trips are valid for the duration for which the vehicle remains in the parking lot.
Sao Paulo Metro Parking
Most metro stations offer parking spaces for passengers. Metro riders can leave their car and will receive 2 tickets to use on the metro and other public transport system. E-Facil cards will cost you R$ 2.00 and this card can be used for parking vehicles in metro parking spaces. The fare is worth for 12 hours.
Sao Paulo Metro Lines
Currently the rapid transit system has 5 lines and all the 5 lines are recognized by its color. The total length of the route is 74.2km.
- Line 1 – The blue line was opened in 1974 and the metro runs between Tucuruvi and Jabaquara. The length of the route is 20.2km serving 23 stations. The stations are built underground.
- Line 2 – The green line was opened in 1991 and the metro runs between Vila Madalena and Vila Prudente. The length of the route is 14.6km serving 14 stations. The line is also called by the name Paulista line because it travels through one of the leading financial centers in Sao Paulo.
- Line 3 – The red line was opened in 1979 and the metro runs between Palmeiras-Barra Funda and Corinthians –Itaquera. The length of the route is 22km serving 18 stations. The line is formally called east-west line and it is the busiest line in the system.
- Line 4 – The yellow line was opened in 2010 and the metro runs between Vila Sonia and Luz. The length of the route is 12.8km serving 11 stations. The line is also called south east-south west line.
- Line 5 – The lilac line was opened in 2001 and the metro runs between Capao Redondo and Largo Treze. The length of the route is 8.4km serving 6 stations. Some parts of this line operate partially.
Line 15 and line 17 are under construction. Line 4 is planned to be further extended to 2km serving 2 more stations. Line 5 is also planning to be further extended to 11.4km serving 11 more stations.
Sao Paulo Metro Rules and Tips
São Paulo metro is safe and a reliable way of travelling. The stations are patrolled by Metro security agents and they have been granted police powers. Drinking is prohibited inside the metro. The metro provides facility for vehicle parking through the use of E-Fácil cards. The metro allows bicycles on the last wagon and is limited to maximum 4 bikes per train. However there are certain timings during which these can be carried. They are allowed during all metro working hours on Sundays and holidays, from 8.30 pm to 12.00 am on Monday to Friday and from 2.00 pm to 1.00 am on Saturdays. Folding bicycles can be carried any time.