While Pezão praises Supervia, Garotinho criticizes harshly.

"It was sad to leave 600 passengers walking on the train tracks, without buses immediately available. Of course, we want more speed in everything, but we can't think that there haven't been advances and improvements," said Vice-Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão; "he's satisfied because he doesn't ride the train," replied Garotinho, who also stated that Pezão "derailed" the project.

January 24, 2014, 00:12 AMUpdated July 11, 2018, 15:14 pm

"It was sad to leave 600 passengers walking on the train tracks, without buses immediately available. Of course, we want more speed in everything, but we can't think that there haven't been advances and improvements," said Vice-Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão; "he's satisfied because he doesn't ride the train," replied Garotinho, who also stated that Pezão "derailed" (Photo: Leonardo Attuch)

From the newspaper O Povo - One day after the train accident in São Cristóvão that left 600 people stranded and caused a collapse in the system operated by Supervia, Vice-Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão said he is satisfied with the concessionaire. This Thursday, Pezão recorded a video defending Supervia, stating that the system has suffered from 40 years of neglect. According to him, more than 400 kilometers cannot be repaired overnight.

"I am satisfied with all the operators (concessionaires) in the state, including Supervia. Of course, we have to demand more and more. SuperVia is now part of a large group, the largest group in Brazil. That gives us peace of mind," said Pezão.

In another part of the video, Vice-Governor Pezão, despite praising all the concessionaires in the state -- including the bus companies --, admitted that the bus system was not able to absorb the passengers from Supervia.

- The accident (on Wednesday) was a huge problem in Rio. It was sad to leave 600 passengers walking on the train tracks, without buses immediately available. Of course, we want more speed in everything, but we can't think that there haven't been advances and improvements. You don't increase the capacity from 350 to 600 train users in seven years if there haven't been improvements - argued the vice-governor.

Upon learning that Pezão praised Supervia, federal deputy Anthony Garotinho (PR) reacted:

"The vice-governor is happy because he doesn't have to travel by train. This statement is a mockery of the people," Garotinho lashed out.

Despite recurring problems in the transportation system, in 2010 Cabral renewed the concession for the state's train system with SuperVia until 2048. The vice-governor refused to say whether he will keep the Secretary of Transportation, Júlio Lopes, when he assumes the governorship. Cabral leaves office on February 28th, when Pezão will take over as governor, aiming to run for re-election.