VLT Carioca - Tranví­a de Rí­o de Janeiro, Brasil

Challenge:

The light train VLT Carioca was designed to connect the newly developed area in Porto Maravilha in Rio de Janeiro with the city centre, and other infrastructure hubs such as Santos Dumont airport or train and bus terminals.

VLT Carioca main goals are:

  • Develop a medium capacity transport system that helped to decentralize the city, connecting main hubs of transport and touristic areas
  • Being part of a strategic project to revitalize the new developed urban area in Porto Maravilha.
Solution:

The Municipality of Rio de Janeiro developed the infrastructure as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in which the private concessionaire finances, constructs, and operates the light train. In exchange, the consortium receives the ticket sales revenues, other revenues from commercials or restaurants, and monthly payments from the municipality as a subvention to fill the gap in between ticket revenues, and infrastructure investment and operation cost.
SDG Impact:

Goal 7: affordable and clean energy. The new infrastructure, using a non-greenhouse emission energy source, was expected to reduce the number of buses (60%) and private vehicles (15%) in the city centre.

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth. The VLT Carioca created formal jobs and eased the access to job positions in the city and academic institutions.

Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure. The VLT Carioca used an innovative catenary-free system that allowed for a cutting-edge technology transfer to a developing country. In addition, there is wide available evidence in the literature of the positive effects of transport infrastructure on economy productivity gains.

Goal 11: sustainable cities and communities. The reduction of the number of buses and private vehicles derived from the light train operation would help to reduce greenhouse emissions in the city.

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals as the project was developed with a public-private collaboration. The private sector designs, build, finances, and operates the public transport system. That allow the public sector to benefit from private sector know-how and international experience while transferring some risk.
Compliance with UNECE People-first PPP criteria:

With the VLT Carioca, the city provides an environmentally friendly public transport system to a newly developed area, Porto Maravilha. The project:

  • Increased access to safe and reliable public transport to residents

More information

This case study aspires to be People-first Public-Private Partnerships project and is published as received from the proponents.