BRAZIL: Test running on the first 6∙5 km section of Salvador metro Line 1 between Lapa and Acesso Norte began on December 22. Testing is scheduled to continue until April, when a free passenger service will be introduced until the start of commercial services in June.

The line will serve the Arena Fonte Nova football stadium being built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Construction of the metro began in 2000 with plans to open the 13 km Line 1 by 2003, but this was delayed to 2008 and then 2012. Hyundai Rotem delivered six four-car trains for the line in 2008.

The remaining 6∙5 km of Line 1 to Pirajá is now expected to be completed by 2013, and a second line is under construction.