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Providência Cable Car surpasses the mark of 9 thousand trips in a single day
Published on 28/02/2025 - 15:03 | Updated
The Providência Cable Car - Disclosure/City of Rio The Providência Cable Car registered a record 9.369 trips in a single day last Friday (21/2), according to the Rio City Hall. Since the resumption of full operations on February 9, the number of trips has been gradually increasing.
In the first week, between February 10 and 14, the daily average on weekdays was 7,5 trips. Between the 17th and 21st, this number rose to 8,3 trips. These numbers are above expectations, since the previous average was 5 daily trips, when it was opened in 2014.
The station with the highest volume of departures is Central do Brasil, and peak times are from 7am to 8am, from 12pm to 13pm and from 14pm to 15pm.
The full operation of the Cable Car represents a 60,6% increase in the number of weekly service hours compared to its original operation in 2014. At the time, the equipment operated from Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 19 pm; on Saturdays, from 8 am to 14 pm; and did not operate on Sundays and holidays.
– This is a very important investment by the city, which benefits the entire local population, offering a free, high-quality electric means of transportation. In addition, it serves as a feeder for the VLT and connects to Central do Brasil, which also offers a train option. In short, a mode of transportation that integrates the city’s means of transportation – assessed Osmar Lima, municipal secretary of Economic Development, who is also head of CCPar (Companhia Carioca de Parcerias e Investimentos).
Positive impact on the community
For residents, the expansion of the operation has brought significant benefits, as highlighted by João Pedro Moura de Souza, a 25-year-old student:
– The cable car is essential, not only for me, as a student, but for all workers and residents of the community. Many people have difficulty getting around, and this service makes it easier for them to access hospitals, markets and other essential services. It also helps workers leave their homes with greater peace of mind.
In addition to mobility, João highlights that the cable car represents savings in everyday life:
– It will save you money and time. Now I can leave later and still arrive earlier. Before, it took me much longer to get down. Now I can make the trip in less than five minutes.
With expanded operations, the Providência Cable Car reinforces its role as an efficient, accessible and essential means of transport for the daily lives of the region's residents.
About the Providencia Cable Car
Opened in July 2014, the Providência Cable Car was built as part of the Morar Carioca program, as part of the community's urbanization. At the time, the facility received an investment of R$75 million through the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), which included the construction of stations, assembly of towers, relocation of the electrical grid and implementation of service roads. However, in January 2017, the operating contract was not renewed, resulting in the interruption of service.
In 2021, the new Rio City Hall administration decided to reactivate the cable car and commissioned engineering studies to assess its condition. The recovery was divided into two fronts: the renovation of the three stations and metal towers and the renewal of the electromechanical system, in partnership with the Austrian company Doppelmayr, the equipment manufacturer. The Companhia Carioca de Parcerias e Investimentos (CCPar) coordinated the entire modernization process, ensuring the resumption of the service. The total investment by the government was R$42 million.
With the capacity to transport up to 16 people per hour in each direction, the cable car operates with 721 gondolas for eight passengers each, covering a distance of XNUMX meters in approximately three minutes. The equipment also has accessible infrastructure for people with reduced mobility.
In addition to providing free transportation for the population, the Providência Cable Car provides important municipal services. Since 2014, the Nélio de Oliveira Family Clinic has been operating at the Gamboa station, providing medical care to the community. In March 2022, the Dodô da Portela Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) was opened, in homage to the iconic resident of Providência and one of the greatest flag bearers in the history of Portela.
