The system is among several new public transport developments in the region ahead of the city's successful bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The first phase, consisting of a single 15-kilometre line between the Novo Rio Bus Terminal and Santos Dumont Airport and 18 stops,[3] was inaugurated on 5 June 2016, two months ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony,[4] with regular service beginning the following day.

For the first month of operation, it was free of charge to ride, but only two trams were in service between noon and 15:00 on the section between Parada dos Museus in Praça Mauá and Santos Dumont Airport.

Instead, Alstom has equipped approximately 80% of the line with its proprietary ground-level power supply (APS) system.

[needs update] It is estimated that when the entire network is at full capacity, it would be able to eliminate 60% of buses and 15% of automobile traffic circulating in the city centre.