The ViaMobilidade concessionaire, which manages two train lines in São Paulo, was notified by the Metropolitan Transport Department (STM) of the opening of administrative proceedings to investigate failures in the operation of the compositions. Problems in the electrical network, stoppage of service and even the collision of a train with a protective barrier were situations observed since the company took over the lines, on January 27. The CCR Group company won the auction that handed over the administration to the private sector.
According to STM, ViaMobilidade was notified of the initiation of administrative sanctioning proceedings for non-compliance with operational procedures and for the interruption of service provision, with a period of 15 days for manifestation and presentation of a defense. The concessionaire is responsible for lines 8-Diamante, which connects the Júlio Prestes, downtown, and Itapevi stations; and 9-Esmeralda, which runs from Osasco to Vila Natal, in the extreme south of São Paulo.
With the results of the investigation of the failures, the secretariat will be able to apply sanctions that can reach the value of R$ 4.3 million. The notification was made at a meeting in which “urgent and immediate” actions were also recommended to the concessionaire to reduce operational failures that occurred in recent weeks.
flaws
One of the most recent and serious failures in the operation was the collision of a train with the protective barrier on the edge of the stop at Júlio Prestes Station, which occurred on March 10th. The passengers were disembarked safely, but the train driver was in shock and received medical attention. About 460 thousand people use the line daily on weekdays. According to the dealership, the collision occurred because the brake was not applied at the point needed by the operator. The employee was fired.
ViaMobilidade reported that, during the meeting at which it was notified, it presented an emergency plan with improvement actions. Among the immediate measures, the concessionaire informed that it will “accelerate the evaluation of the Air Network and other necessary technical diagnoses; raise points on lines 8 and 9 to mitigate the risk of cable theft; intensify general maintenance of elevators and stairs, implement speed signs before stations and at the entrance to platforms, in addition to “reflective turtles” on the track, to signal the arrival of trains on platforms”.
The concessionaire added that it will intensify operator training as well as field supervision. He also informed that he will review the entire fleet received from Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM). According to ViaMobilidade, so far, only 23% of the fleet has been overhauled.
