The city government inaugurates the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal in Irajá, integrating the Baixada Fluminense region into the BRT system.

The terminal will now concentrate services for the metropolitan BRT connection, the Transbrasil BRT, and municipal urban buses - Marcelo Piu/Rio City Hall

The Rio de Janeiro City Hall inaugurated the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal in the North Zone this Saturday (March 14th). The facility consolidates a new axis for integrating public transportation between the capital and the Metropolitan Region, especially the Baixada Fluminense. The terminal will concentrate services from the metropolitan BRT connection, the Transbrasil BRT, and municipal urban buses. This expands access options to the city of Rio, connects different modes of transport, and reorganizes bus operations in the region. The terminal began operating municipal lines this Saturday, with intermunicipal connections starting Monday (March 16th).

– This service is fundamental because it allows the integration of a series of bus lines from different neighborhoods of the city with the Transbrasil BRT, providing speed and comfort for those traveling to the city. But, mainly, because we are taking the first step to serve the population of the Baixada Fluminense region. It is the responsibility of the Rio de Janeiro City Hall to welcome those who live in the Baixada and work in the city of Rio. We are going to provide a service for half the price and in half the time – stated Mayor Eduardo Paes.

The new terminal will also connect the Baixada Fluminense region to the main corridors and areas of Rio de Janeiro. There will be connections to the city center and the northern region via Transbrasil, and to the western and southwestern regions through connections with Transoeste and Transolímpica. Furthermore, the Transcarioca provides access to Tom Jobim International Airport, the main entry and exit point for Rio de Janeiro.

The Municipal Transportation Department has purchased 50 new articulated buses to serve the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal. Thirty-two will begin operating this Saturday, providing services 70 and 73. On Monday (March 16th), line 77 will begin operation with 15 conventional buses, being the first to connect another municipality to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Mesquita will be the first city to receive a direct connection to the Metropolitan BRT Terminal and the Transbrasil BRT system.

– Sixty percent of the residents of Baixada Fluminense work daily in the city of Rio. With this service, people will have a great saving of time and money. The Pedro Fernandes Terminal is strategic, in the middle of the Transbrasil line. With this, passengers can go to either the Gentileza Terminal or the Deodoro Terminal and connect with other corridors – said the Secretary of Transportation, Maína Celidonio.

The new line will offer greater speed, regularity, and new travel options to Avenida Brasil and the city center. The service has the capacity to serve up to 7,5 passengers daily. The new terminal also has 50 security cameras.

Two new BRT services will connect the Metropolitan BRT terminals and Gentileza.

To strengthen integration with the high-capacity system, two BRT services will now operate between the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal and the Gentileza Terminal: one express service and one local service.

Service 70 will be a local service and will make stops at Vigário Geral, Cidade Alta, Mercado São Sebastião, Lobo Júnior, Marinha Mercante, Piscinão de Ramos, Rubens Vaz, Baixa do Sapateiro, Hospital de Bonsucesso, Fiocruz, Benfica, Vasco da Gama, INTO and Terminal Gentileza, returning to the terminal.

While Service 73 will be express and will take a faster route, with only five stops: in Vigário Geral, Cidade Alta, Mercado São Sebastião, Rubens Vaz and Fiocruz.

The new terminal will also bring together municipal bus lines serving areas such as Vicente de Carvalho, Irajá, Vista Alegre, Pavuna, Madureira, and Méier. These services will expand travel options and provide greater comfort for passengers. In total, six lines will operate at the location (see the end of the text).

The inauguration marks the beginning of the first phase of operation of the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal. Soon, the facility will begin operating with more services.

Margaridas Integrated Single Ticket (BUM)

In addition to the new terminal, the population will also benefit from the Margaridas Integrated Single Ticket (BUM), which establishes fare integration between the feeder lines of the Metropolitan Region, the Transbrasil BRT, and municipal services. With a fare of R$ 9,20, the model allows the user to make up to three transfers within a three-hour period, including the BRT as an intermediate connection.

BUM operates exclusively within the Jaé digital ticketing system and complements the existing integration policy in the municipality of Rio, which strengthens the connection between transportation networks.

The operation will be monitored in real time by a GPS system, allowing for adjustments according to demand and traffic conditions. The implementation of the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal is part of the restructuring process of the municipal transport network, focusing on expanding integration, reducing travel time, and improving the user experience.

Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal: modern structure prepared for high demand.

With over 63,4 square meters of area, the Pedro Fernandes Metropolitan BRT Terminal was designed to offer a modern, organized, and efficient structure. The terminal will guarantee more comfort and speed for those who use public transportation. The investment in the project is R$ 46,8 million.

– The terminal was built right at the intersection of Avenida Brasil and Dutra, a strategic location for the BRT project, integrating with the Transbrasil BRT. In addition to the terminal, we have a garage that will support the entire operation. It took six months of construction so that we could deliver this high-quality facility not only for the residents of Rio de Janeiro but also for the residents of the Baixada Fluminense region – said the Secretary of Infrastructure, Wanderson Santos.

Access to the BRT system is via a dedicated building with turnstiles, spanning 480 square meters, responsible for organizing passenger entry and enabling fare integration with the transportation system. The space also includes restrooms for men, women, and people with disabilities (PWD).

The area designated for the boarding platform of intercity feeder buses covers 1,1 square meters and allows for the organization of lines that connect to the BRT system. To improve user circulation within the facility, a thermal connection roof was installed, connecting the Mobi-Rio platform to the access building and offering protection against sun and rain during passenger movement.

The structure also includes other important operational areas for the fleet's functioning, such as a 1,2 square meter inspection and refueling shed for the BRT articulated buses and a 750 square meter vehicle washing shed.

A support building for employees, with infrastructure geared towards the functioning of operational teams, was also constructed. The space has men's, women's and accessible changing rooms for people with disabilities (PWD), a break room, a first-aid room and a storage room, ensuring better working conditions for the professionals working at the terminal.

The terminal also includes a bicycle parking area with approximately 35 spaces, a safe alternative for those who use bicycles as a means of transportation to the terminal. To ensure the water supply for the facilities, the terminal has two water towers. One is located near the bus washing shed, while the other is near the access building, serving the different operational areas of the facility.

There are also approximately 11 square meters of flowerbeds and green areas, and around 200 tree saplings have been planted, contributing to the urban improvement of the surrounding area and the environmental comfort of the space. The green areas and planting are expected to be completed in the first half of this year.

Municipal bus lines at the Metropolitan BRT Terminal

– 944 Pavuna x Terminal Margaridas (new line)
– 685 Terminal Margaridas x Méier
– 950 Vicente de Carvalho x Vista Alegre
– 951 Vicente de Carvalho x Vista Alegre
– 959 Vicente de Carvalho Metro Station x Irajá
– SV774 Madureira x Jardim América