São Paulo inaugurates Line 17-Gold with BYD SkyRail technology to connect Congonhas Airport

Linha 17-Gold began commercial operations in São Paulo with the implementation of the BYD SkyRail system. The project connects dense districts to Aeroporto of Congonhas and marks the delivery of infrastructure that has been awaited for more than a decade. The technology uses monorails that move on concrete beams, taking up less urban space than conventional metro lines. The state government focuses on reducing travel time for tourists and daily commuters in the capital.

The mode was designed to adapt to restricted urban corridors where the construction of tunnels or wide roads would be unfeasible. With sharp curves of up to 45 meters and slopes of up to 10%, the route follows the city’s current geography. The elevated structure minimizes the need for large-scale expropriations. The operation is automated and the trains use an electric traction system that does not require internal drivers for regular maneuvers.

Inovação energy and operational safety with lithium batteries

The train set is made up of five-car units that operate with 750V direct current supplied by rails integrated into the guide beam. The big technical difference between this model and traditional CPTM or Metrô trains is the onboard energy storage. The compositions feature lithium iron phosphate batteries, the same chemistry used in high-performance electric vehicles from the Chinese manufacturer.

Essa energy reserve acts as a safety system in cases of total interruption in the electricity supply from the external network. Storage allows the train to travel a few extra kilometers to complete the journey to the nearest station. The objective is to prevent passengers from needing to be evacuated between the spans of the elevated beams in situations of widespread electrical failure.

The project’s technical specifications include:

• Capacidade load for medium density operation.
• Viga single concrete guide approximately 800 millimeters wide.
• Sistema regenerative braking system that returns energy to the grid during deceleration.
• Painéis real-time monitoring integrated into the operational control center.
• Autonomia for emergency maneuvers without external power.

Sustentabilidade and impact on urban mobility in the capital

The operation of Linha 17-Gold is expected to remove thousands of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. The reduction in emissions is linked to the replacement of trips using internal combustion vehicles with electric transport on rails. The definitive environmental impact will be measured as passenger demand stabilizes in the coming months of assisted operation.

BYD also confirmed that it intends to collaborate with local universities to establish a research and development center at São Paulo. The focus will be on innovation in sustainable public transport and the electrification of fleets. The proposal seeks to transform the capital of São Paulo into a technology hub for high-performance electric vehicles in the short term.

Connectivity with the existing transport network is the central point of the mobility strategy for the south zone. The Linha 17 works as an integration arm that unclogs saturated arterial pathways. The system allows the flow of travelers arriving through the country’s second busiest airport to have a predictable alternative to road traffic.

Estratégia Infrastructure and International Technology Partnership

The launch represents a change in approach to major transport works in saturated areas. Instead of heavy expansions, the focus is on medium-capacity systems that utilize digital and electrical “new infrastructure.” Cooperation between the São Paulo government and the Chinese company resulted in a vehicle that prioritizes convenience and technological modernity.

The project has faced several delays since its original conception, but the completion of the civil stage now allows us to focus on technical operations. Maintenance of the SkyRail system requires different logistics than conventional steel rail, with a focus on load tires and concrete guides. State management is betting on the durability of these materials to reduce long-term operating costs and guarantee punctuality in connections with flights on Congonhas.