BRAZIL: MRS Logística has unveiled the first of three locomotives being liveried to promote the early renewal of its concession.
The SD70-ACe supplied by Progress Rail Brasil carries a new livery designed by Cecilia Guiomar dos Santos which was chosen by staff in a poll during 2020. Intended to attract the attention of staff, customers and other stakeholders to the company’s plans, the locomotive sports the slogan ‘Renewing our commitment to the future of railways in Brazil’. Two other locomotives due to be delivered from different suppliers will feature the same livery and slogan.
MRS Logística’s current concession to operate freight services on its 1 643 km broad and mixed gauge network serving the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo expires on November 30 2026. The company has put forward proposals for an early renewal in line with government policy, and hopes to sign an agreement for a 30-year extension in the last quarter of this year. A formal submission to the Federal Audit Court is expected to be made in April, after the National Land Transport Agency ANTT has finished evaluating the company’s investment proposals.
MRS Logística is proposing to spend R$7∙5bn on upgrading and improvement works that would include the segregation of traffic flows in the São Paulo area where some routes are shared with suburban passenger services operated by Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos. Other proposals include track renewals and the acquisition of new wagons and locomotives. The company’s business plan includes development of general cargo such as agricultural products, steel and containers; general cargo represented 32% of traffic in 2018.
