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The city of Rio will gain public water transport in the Lagoon Complex in the Southwest Zone.
Published on 02/10/2025 - 10:40 | Updated on 07/10/2025 - 11:05
The Southwest Zone Lagoon Complex will gain new public water transport - Rafael Catarcione/City of Rio The Lagoon Complex in Rio's Southwest Zone, which encompasses Barra da Tijuca, Jacarepaguá, and Recreio dos Bandeirantes, will gain a new waterborne public transportation system: Lagunar Marítima. The boat system will feature five terminals, six stations, and eight lines and will be integrated with municipal transportation, adopting the same fare already charged for other modes: currently R$4,70. The new mode is expected to transport 85 people per day, in addition to offering a better quality of life, new travel options, and improved traffic on the region's main thoroughfares, such as Avenida das Américas and Avenida Ayrton Senna.
Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) conducted by the Companhia Carioca de Parcerias e Investimentos (CCPar), the Lagunar Marítimo Consortium won the bid for the concession project. The contract, signed on the 17th and valid for 25 years, provides for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the new system, with a minimum investment of R$101,6 million from the consortium, which may be expanded.
"It's a balanced concession, with the same fare as the Bilhete Único Carioca. We're very optimistic that it will go well; now we just have to wait for the concessionaire to fulfill the contractual obligations. This transportation system promises to significantly transform the situation in this region. Workers from Rio das Pedras, Gardênia, Muzema, and the surrounding communities, as well as those who work in condominiums and shopping malls, will have faster and more comfortable transportation," stated Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes.
With the contract already signed, the Lagunar Marítimo Consortium has up to 30 days to present the work schedule, and up to 36 months to build five mandatory terminals: Gardênia Azul, Jardim Oceânico/Metro, Yellow Line, Muzema and Rio das Pedras; and six stations/piers: Arroio Pavuna, Barra Shopping, Bosque Marapendi, Olympic Park, Salvador Allende and Vila Militar.
There will be eight mandatory lines in total: Rio das Pedras expressway x Yellow Line; Rio das Pedras expressway x Jardim Oceânico; Rio das Pedras expressway x Barra Shopping; Muzema/Jardim Oceânico expressway; Yellow Line x Muzema x Metro; Bosque Marapendi expressway x Jardim Oceânico; Jacarepaguá Lagoon Circular; and Gardenia expressway x Jardim Oceânico. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, after the stages of presenting the implementation plan, basic and executive projects, and obtaining permits.
In addition to these mandatory constructions, the consortium will be responsible for proposing other lines, terminals and stations through the presentation of the Operational Implementation Plan.
"We must emphasize the importance of creating an alternative transportation option. We must offer the possibility, especially for workers who need to access this area of the city, of using lagoon transportation. With standardized fares and boats, safety, and integration with the Jaé River. This is an important step for the City Hall, expanding mobility opportunities in the region," said Secretary of Economic Development Osmar Lima.
The vessels
The consortium must follow the specifications defined by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall to compose the fleet of vessels. The vessels can accommodate 42 to 120 passengers. The fleet must have external visual identification of the line; meet the Maritime Authority's maintenance specifications; and have alarm, fire-fighting, and instrument navigation systems.
The passenger cabin must be protected from rain and wind, and have new, upholstered seats. Emergency exits must be clearly marked, and the boats must have lighting for nighttime navigation and accessibility. At the start of operations, the vessels must be no more than five years old. The consortium must have a reserve fleet equivalent to 10% of the operating fleet.
Iguá, a water and sewage concessionaire, has been dredging the region's lagoons since April 2024, as part of the sanitation concession contract, a fixed-term effort. To achieve this, Iguá is investing R$250 million and estimates it will relocate approximately 2,3 million cubic meters of sediment and sludge accumulated at the bottom of the lagoons, in areas where solid waste and raw sewage have been disposed of for decades. This process will restore the lagoons' original depth, improving water circulation with the ocean, increasing oxygen levels, and contributing to strengthening biodiversity.
Local boat activity
The new municipal public transportation system will operate alongside the service already provided by local boatmen for decades. The tender provides for the continuation of the boats, which will not operate on municipal public transportation routes, nor will they compete with the municipal waterway in fare prices.
Currently, local boats do not have fixed points and serve residents of the islands of Gigoia, Primeira and others in the surrounding area.
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