This line started as a light rail, but due to increasing numbers of commuters, it gradually changed to rapid transit or metro.

The extension works of Line 2, called Line 1A, which ended the need for a transfer at Estácio Station and allowed the direct connection from Pavuna Station to Botafogo were started by Metrô Rio on 13 November 2008, and the tracks were completed in December 2009.

With the extension, the 250 thousand passengers that circulate daily on Line 2 do not need to change trains any more in order to get to the South Zone.

[8] Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil and the most popular tourist attraction in the country.

Rio de Janeiro lies in a hilly region, between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

The landscape of the city is extremely uneven, making travelling by car or bus a very time-consuming task through the narrow streets.

The Rio de Janeiro Metro began operating in March 1979, during the administration of governor Chagas Freitas.

In December, completing the southern section of the first Line 1, Largo do Machado Station began service.

In 1982, the complementary inaugurations of the northern section of Line 1 started, with the beginning of operations of the Afonso Pena, São Francisco Xavier and Saens Peña stations.

After a month, this schedule was extended until 8 PM, and a free bus service was established, integrating the Estácio, São Cristóvão, and Maracanã stations.

In 1984 the commercial operation of the second line began with five trains on workdays with a five-and-a-half-minute interval during the week.

In December of that year the system was privatised and the management and operation of the company passed into the hands of the Consortium Opportrans with a concession of 20 years, leaving the responsibility for expansion of the network in the hands of the state government of Rio de Janeiro through the company Rio Trilhos.

The Rio Reveillón (New Year's Eve celebrations) is highlighted by the performance of Opportrans that since 1999 has conducted a Special Operation to ensure a party for all.

Cantagalo Station beyond Siqueira Campos was due to be completed in March 2006 but owing to financial problems the opening date was postponed to 15 December.

Passenger traffic at Estácio is reduced and the elimination of the need to transfer between Lines 1 and 2 saves up to 13 minutes of journey time.

In June 2010, the construction of Line 4 began, linking Ipanema to Barra da Tijuca, where most events of the 2016 Olympic Games occurred.

This line was initially served by old A type stock, built by La Brugeoise et Nivelles and Cobrasma.

Siqueira Campos, Carioca, Central, Uruguaiana are Cardeal Arcoverde have a large mezzanine floor between surface and underground tracks.

The Cardeal Arcoverde station was dynamited out of the base of São João Mountain and retains a cavelike structure.

The investment of R$1.15 billion included also the purchase of 19 additional compositions; 114 new cars[15] with a technology that allows the passengers to circulate inside the train.

These actions, combined with the extension of Line 2, will allow Metrô Rio to transport more than 1.1 million passengers/day.

[3][16][15][13] Line 3 is proposed to run from Carioca to Visconde de Itaboraí via a 4 km (2.5 mi) tunnel underneath the Guanabara Bay, and via Araribóia, Antonina, Guaxindiba and Itambi stations.