The Government of São Paulo, through the Secretariat for Investment Partnerships (SPI), advances this week with another initiative aimed at improving mobility and generating significant impact across the state’s coastal region. The winning bidder for the Waterway Crossings System concession will be announced this Thursday (13) at the auction held at B3, in São Paulo.
The concession, which foresees the full renewal of the infrastructure and fleet serving millions of São Paulo residents, will stimulate economic development in the regions covered. The modernization of services will make transportation easier, boost tourism and strengthen local economies, especially in coastal cities.
Today, 14 lines serve around 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles per year in the State of São Paulo. The new model foresees substantial improvements with investments of more than R$ 2.5 billion, including the construction of new terminals, acquisition of modern vessels and requalification of existing infrastructure. A total of 45 new vessels will serve the population, along with the guarantee of maintaining the current fare structure.
With a strong focus on regions such as Baixada Santista, São Sebastião, Ilhabela and Vale do Ribeira, the project will benefit key economic and population clusters while ensuring better performance during peak travel periods. The model requires the concessionaire to reinforce the fleet on holidays and during high season, ensuring more trips and shorter waiting lines. In some cases, such as the Santos–Guarujá crossing, all pedestrians will be exempt from paying fares, which is not the case today.
“The modernization of the crossings drives regional development, expands access to jobs and opportunities and strengthens tourism along the São Paulo coastline,” says Edgard Benozatti Neto, CEO of the São Paulo Partnerships Company.
Investment Partnerships Program (PPI-SP)
PPI-SP is a State Government initiative designed to expand opportunities for investment, jobs and socioeconomic, technological, environmental and industrial development in São Paulo. Focused on the areas of Highways, Mobility, Social Infrastructure and Water/Energy, PPI-SP is delivering the largest and most comprehensive private-investment program in the history of São Paulo, benefiting the population and boosting regional economic growth. In total, the program includes more than 30 qualified projects and an investment portfolio of over R$ 550 billion.