The ViaMobilidade Consortium, comprising the CCR Group and Ruas Investimento e Participações, won a concession contract to operate metro lines 8-Diamond and 9-Emerald of the Metropolitan Trains Company (CPTM) in São Paulo. The auction for the concession was rescheduled and finally held on April 20. The contract is for 30 years, during which the consortium will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and modernization of existing facilities as well as the renovation of 30 stations and the expansion of six others.

The contract includes the acquisition of 34 new trains for both lines, replacing fleets currently operated on lines 8 and 9, which will be used on lines 10, 11 and 12.  The consortium will also modernize and introduce new telecommunication systems, update the 3kV dc overhead electrification and upgrade the track. In return, the state government will be responsible for the completion of the 4.5km Grajaú – Varginha extension of Line 9, building two new stations at Mendes-Vila Natal and Varginha. 

The consortium placed a BRL980 million (US$180 million) bid for the concession, which was 202% higher than the minimum bid of BRL323.9 million (US$59.5 million). The concessionaire is expected to invest BRL3.2 billion (US$587.96 million) over the contract, including BRL2.6 billion (US$477.72 million) during the first six years.