Line 1 (Blue) () is one of the six lines that make up the

São Paulo Metro The São Paulo Metro (, ), commonly called the ''Metrô'', is one of the rapid transit companies serving the city of São Paulo, alongside the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos, São Paulo Metropolitan Trains Company (CPTM), Via Quatro ...

and one of the thirteen lines that make up the Metropolitan Rail Transportation Network. It was the first line built for the

and also the first metro line built in Brazil. It links Tucuruvi Station to Jabaquara Station. Construction began in the late 1960s and was completed in the early 1970s.

History

Originally called North-South Line, line 1 began construction on December 14, 1968. Commercial operation began September 14, 1974, with trains running in the first seven kilometers between Jabaquara and Vila Mariana stations. On this first stretch, the daily service lasted from 10 am to 3 pm. The choice of this route was motivated by the nonexistence of alternatives for collective rail transport for the residents of

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and Jabaquara, and also to relieve the already complicated traffic in the city's Center. The Consortium that won the bid for the construction of the line was HMD, an association of two German companies, Hochtief and Deconsult, and the Brazilian Montreal. This consortium applied the newest technologies available at the time, such as stainless steel cars, automatic train control and signaling system, third biometallic track, electric car traction and potent electronics, making the São Paulo Metro one of the fastest and most modern in the world. In 1975 it was expanded, first to Liberdade, then to

. In 1978 the Sé station was opened. In 1998 the line expanded to Tucuruvi, because Santana station didn't settle the number from uses.

Moema branch

When the subway was projected in 1968, it had a planning to include, besides the North-South Line (current Line 1-Blue), other two branches: Paulista (current Line 2-Green) and Moema. Moema Branch would start at Paraíso station and follow underneath Avenida 23 de Maio, until Moema neighbourhood. The project was cancelled; however, about of the branch were constructed and its initial stretch can still be noticed at Paraíso station. On the upper platform towards Tucuruvi, heading towards the beginning of the platform, there are two granite tracks, similar to the ones at other stations platforms. Between these tracks, there's the Metro standard rubber floor. This floor is, actually, a siding, which was installed above the branch tracks. However, the line doesn't have a third track, not allowing the train park. On the beginning of the platform, a wall separates the rest of the branch. Inside this wall, there are two other tracks of the branch, which connects with Line 1 right after Paraíso station, towards Tucuruvi. It is currently used for the parking of Metro maintenance machines.

Stations

Gallery

File:Estação santana 2.jpg, Santana Station File:Avenida Cruzeiro do Sul.JPG, North Zone stations (Santana, Carandiru e Portuguesa-Tietê) Image:Budd-Mafersa na Estação Santa Cruz - Linha 1 - Azul do Metrô de São paulo.JPG, Budd-Mafersa train stopping at Santa Cruz Station Image:Avenida Cruzeiro do Sul.JPG, Elevated line seen in the district of Santana. Image:Linha1SP.jpg, Railway line passing through Santana. Image:Metrô Portuguesa Tietê.jpg, Portuguesa-Tietê Station

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Line 1 Sao Paulo Metro Line 01 Sao 01 Railway lines opened in 1974