São Paulo: The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a new project to support the expansion of São Paulo's Metro Line 4 to the neighboring city of Taboão da Serra. This significant development marks the first time the metro network will extend beyond the city limits, providing a faster, cleaner, and safer mode of transportation for thousands of daily commuters. It aims to improve access to jobs for low-income residents and serves as a model for delivering complex urban infrastructure through public-private partnerships.
According to World Bank, the total project cost is estimated at US$893.6 million, with US$400 million in World Bank financing and the remainder sourced from state and private entities. This initiative is part of a broader World Bank-supported Series of Projects designed to promote green, resilient, and inclusive mobility in Brazil's largest cities.
The expansion of São Paulo's Metro Line 4 is expected to benefit approximately 50,000 daily passengers by 2030. The extension will connect São Paulo's existing metro network to Taboão da Serra, where incomes are up to 70% lower than in central São Paulo. This expansion is particularly significant for low-income and socially vulnerable households, 71% of whom earn two minimum wages or less.
The new 3.3-kilometer extension will include two new stations, universal accessibility, climate-resilient infrastructure, and seamless bus-to-metro integration. The fully electrified extension will contribute to São Paulo's climate goals by avoiding nearly 650,000 tons of CO2 emissions. Safety measures will be prioritized with driverless trains, platform screen doors, and flood-resilient design.
Key components of the project include infrastructure expansion, deployment of cutting-edge signaling systems, capacity building for São Paulo's transport regulatory agency (ARTESP), improved access for women and vulnerable groups, and job creation through various sectors involved in the project.
Metro Line 4 was Brazil's first public-private partnership (PPP). In this new phase, the State of São Paulo will delegate construction and implementation responsibilities to a private concessionaire, ensuring faster delivery and better risk management. The project also includes capacity building and digital tools to assist São Paulo in managing future PPPs more effectively.
Aligned with Brazil's Country Partnership Framework and São Paulo's mobility and climate strategies, the project reinforces the state's leadership in sustainable transport, innovation, and inclusion.