Brasília – A resolution was published today (13th) on the Official Gazette approving the concession regime and procedures for implementation and operation of the High-Speed Rail that will connect the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Campinas. The tender auction to select the group in charge of undertaking the work is scheduled to take place at the Mercantile and Futures Exchange, in São Paulo, on December 16th.
The estimated cost of the work is 33.1 billion reals (US$ ), and the tender will be won by the bidder with the lowest top-end tariff. According to the resolution, a state-owned company named Empresa de Transporte Ferroviário de Alta Velocidade S.A. (Etav), based in the Brazilian capital Brasília and linked to the Ministry of Transport, will be established, and will be part of the Specific Purpose Company that will undertake the project.
“If there is a viable location for this type of system, it is the Rio-São Paulo area,” said the chairman of the National Agency for Overland Transport (ANTT), Bernardo Figueiredo, at the ceremony marking the launch of the tender.
“This will change the development of these regions, and will relieve the denser areas. We have developed the process by seeking the best technical knowledge available worldwide, with competent companies that are up to the task of carrying out this type of project. I am certain that this tender will be a fair one, open to the participation of all, with no technological restrictions,” he added.
The minister of Transport, Paulo Sérgio Passos, stated that the high-speed rail is part of the federal government’s overhaul of the Brazilian railway system. “Through the edict, we will ensure that the trip will be made in 93 minutes,” said the minister. “We want Brazil to be in line with the world’s best railway technologies,” claimed Passos.
“We are beginning to develop studies pertaining to the train in February 2008, alongside all of the ministries involved. Much will be gained in the way of technology, because we will be able to amass knowledge and increase the quality of our industry. The Etav company will own a stake in the company that will build and operate the high-speed rail. One of the Etav’s main purposes will be to act as the government’s arm for promoting coordination among technological companies, the State, and the industry,” the minister finished off.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
