Ever wonder where Sāo Paulo’s subway trains go to bed? The Pátio Itaquera do Metrô is their giant, bustling home. Opened on March 7, 1987, this massive yard spans 470,000 square meters. It has 24 km of tracks. That is more track than the entire Line 3-Red, which only covers 22 km.
Pátio Itaquera is not just a parking lot for trains. It is a vital hub. Here, trains from Line 3-Red undergo essential maintenance, thorough cleaning, and secure storage. Think of it as a giant pit stop for the city’s metal serpents.
The Pátio Itaquera do Metrô is divided into distinct “blocks.” These blocks include administrative offices and material storage. There are operation personnel areas, repair shops, and electrical substations. Also, there is a dedicated train maintenance section. Over 17,000 maintenance interventions occur here annually. Most of them happen between 1 AM and 4 AM. This is outside of normal operating hours.
Fun fact. There was a plan for the yard to house trains for a Itaquera to Guaianazes extension. An overpass was even built to connect the Pátio Itaquera to Corinthians-Itaquera Station. It pointed east. The project was transferred to CPTM. Today, Line 11-Coral operates on the underground section built by the Metro.
Keep your eyes peeled for a piece of subway history. Pátio Itaquera displays a mask from an old Line 3 train. It is a reminder of the evolution of São Paulo’s Metro.
The Corinthians-Itaquera station sits close by. It opened on October 1, 1988. It served as the Line 3-Red terminus on the east side. The Itaquera yard or “PIT” connects to this station. The station stands elevated. It features two island platforms and a metallic spatial lattice cover. The station occupies 30,435 square meters. It can handle 60,000 passengers daily during peak hours.
The current CPTM station area has an interesting backstory. The São Paulo Metro constructed it. It remained unused for almost 12 years. Finally, on May 27, 2000, it opened for the East Express.
So, as you travel on Line 3-Red, remember Pátio Itaquera do Metrô. It is working tirelessly behind the scenes. It ensures your safe and efficient journey across São Paulo.