The first phase , consisting of a single 15-kilometre line between the Novo Rio Bus Terminal and Santos Dumont Airport and 18 stops , was inaugurated on 5 June 2016 , two months ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony , 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 . The remainder of the line was opened and service was expanded to full-time operation on 12 July , although only 16 of the 18 stops on the line are in use
Olympics opening ceremony
2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
Rio de Janeiro Light Rail