This paper has the main objective, to show the evolution of passenger transport by railway in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (RMSP), with the central point in the capital city, one of the largest cities in the world with over 12 million inhabitants. At first, the Brazilian plan for urban mobility is presented. After, will be discussed the development of railway system in the RMSP and its six lines, focusing the administrative police until the creation of the Paulista Company of Metropolitan Trains (CPTM) and the gradual increase that reached a record of transported passengers: 3,025,185 on December, 2013. Also will be discussed the evolution of built stations as well as the technical characteristics of trains and the improvements through the traction technology. GHG emissions are addressed, making comparisons with others transports. To finalize, the text will be shown future projects of the "Metropolitan Transport Plan" and the conclusions about the service.