São Paulo Metro G stock
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine , France |
| Products | Electric multiple unit trains |
The São Paulo Metro G stock represents a series of electric multiple unit trains constructed by Alstom between 2007 and 2009, specifically designed to serve Line 2-Green.
Design and Manufacturing
In response to the expansion of the metro system, the São Paulo Metropolitan Company launched bid number 00800310 in 1991, seeking 67 trains composed of six cars each. These were allocated into two groups:
- Group I – 45 trains intended for the Vila Madalena–Vila Prudente corridor
- Group II – 22 trains: 16 for boosting Line 3 capacity and 6 designated for the Itaquera–Guianases extension
A contract revision in 2007 added a 15% increase to Group II orders, which had already seen delivery of 11 units known as the E stock. This contractual adjustment led to legal disputes. The G stock units were produced at Alstom’s facility in Lapa, São Paulo, with deliveries completed by 2009. During the design phase, integrating air conditioning systems resulted in a reduction of interior height, attracting media scrutiny.
Operational Deployment
The inaugural G stock train arrived at Alto do Ipiranga station on 28 March 2009. Soon after entering service, a fault was identified involving the wheel axles, where excessive longitudinal play posed a derailment hazard. This prompted a comprehensive recall of all G stock trains for inspection and necessary repairs. Investigation revealed that IESA, Alstom’s subcontractor, had used a defective hydraulic press to mount wheels onto axles, causing the malfunction.
Controversies
In 2007, the Metropolitan Company expanded its fleet by procuring an additional 16 Alstom G stock trains under a contract originally signed in 1992, increasing the order by 15%. However, in 2017, the São Paulo State Court of Accounts declared this purchase irregular due to contract duration limits—specifically that contracts cannot exceed five years—and noted that the original bid had expired in 1997.