Storm damage: Part of the West Line reopens this Monday
Partial service on the West Line resumes this Monday following severe storm damage, though long-term recovery efforts continue.

Latest news and stories about public transport in Portugal for expats and residents.
Partial service on the West Line resumes this Monday following severe storm damage, though long-term recovery efforts continue.

Infraestruturas de Portugal has announced the partial reopening of the Oeste Line between Caldas da Rainha and Louriçal on March 16 following storm damage repairs, while the Beira Baixa Line will implement partial bus replacement services.
A recent report reveals that half of Europeans do not utilize public transport, with Portugal exceeding this average, while countries like Luxembourg, Estonia, and Sweden show the highest usage rates.

Low-cost bus operator Flixbus is accusing the Rede Nacional de Expressos (RNE) of violating the law by blocking its access to the Sete Rios bus terminal in Lisbon. Flixbus claims a recent court ruling grants them immediate entry, while RNE argues the decision allows them to evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. Travelers should be aware that the Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) has proposed new legislation to prevent bus operators from managing terminals used by their competitors.
Iniciativa Liberal and João Cotrim de Figueiredo tend to draw support from urban, economically liberal voters — often professionals, entrepreneurs and higher‑income residents in cities like Lisbon and Porto — who prioritise lower taxes, deregulation and individual freedoms. The party also attracts some younger voters and expatriates who favour pro‑market policies and a smaller state role.

Comboios de Portugal (CP) has signed an amendment to its contract with Alstom-DST to purchase 36 additional trains for urban services, bringing the total investment to €1.8 billion for nearly 200 new units. Minister of Infrastructure Miguel Pinto Luz described the move as the largest investment in train purchases in the country's history. Travelers should note that the new units are expected to begin arriving in 2029, two years earlier than originally planned.
Miguel Pinto Luz is Portugal's Minister of Infrastructure. On Feb 24, 2026 he told journalists in Viseu that works on the A1 motorway in the Coimbra area would be fully completed and traffic restored to four lanes by the end of that week.
CP is the Portuguese national rail operator (Comboios de Portugal), a state-owned company that runs most passenger train services. The Council of Ministers authorised CP to buy up to 20 high-speed multiple units (12 firm orders with an option for 8) to prepare it for a leading role in high‑speed services.

Infraestruturas de Portugal has announced that the metrobus service in Coimbra is scheduled to extend its operations to Coimbra-B station and Praça da República by mid-August, following strong initial demand.
The association Zero has highlighted Portugal's excessive vulnerability to international oil market fluctuations, urging for enhanced electrification and strengthening of public transport to mitigate fossil fuel consumption and its economic impacts. They emphasize that this dependence contributes to inflation and economic competitiveness issues, particularly in light of rising fuel prices linked to geopolitical conflicts. Zero advocates for a structural reduction in oil reliance through improved public transport and vehicle electrification, rather than temporary tax relief measures. They also point out that the transport sector is a significant contributor to national greenhouse gas emissions, primarily relying on imported fossil fuels, and call for urgent action to address these challenges.

The launch of the Metrobus service has been marred by illegal occupation of its dedicated lanes by soft modes and cars. Despite the right lane being designated for shared use with bicycles and having a speed limit of 30 km/h, this limit is often exceeded, raising concerns about traffic safety and compliance.

The inaugural day of hydrogen bus operations in Porto saw a significant turnout of curious spectators, highlighting public interest in sustainable transport solutions. Despite the official launch, the transport channel remains utilized for various other purposes, raising questions about compliance with regulations.

The Porto Brandão river station, located in the municipality of Almada, which had been closed since February 11 due to road access being blocked by a landslide, resumed operations today, announced Transtejo.

The issue at hand is the allowance for passengers to be transported daily in conditions that are “below European standards” and pose health risks.

The Mission Structure for the Recovery of Affected Areas reports 34,000 applications — including over 25,000 pre‑registrations — for the €10,000 reconstruction support aimed at homes in the Centre and Lisbon and Tagus Valley, with roughly 9,000 formal submissions handled through the two CCDRs. Authorities also note 66,000 insurance activations (around 8,000 for companies), while the Intermunicipal Council of CIM Leiria met to assess the local calamity response. Transport disruptions persist: the A16 has reopened after a short closure caused by a fallen advertising sign, but Infraestruturas de Portugal reports restricted railway circulation on parts of the national network due to recent bad weather. The IPMA forecasts easing rain and improving conditions through the weekend, which may reduce further transport and recovery impediments. The situation highlights strong demand for reconstruction aid, large insurance mobilisation and ongoing infrastructure vulnerability to extreme weather.
The controlled discharge from the Aguieira Dam has raised the Mondego’s level and increased the likelihood of a centennial-level flood in central Coimbra. Several railway links and roads are already affected, with transport disruptions and infrastructure at risk. Local authorities and emergency services are monitoring the river closely, issuing advisories and managing responses; residents and travellers are advised to follow minute-by-minute updates as flood forecasts and dam releases evolve. The situation poses short-term travel, safety and logistical challenges and will require coordinated emergency and transport management if levels continue to rise.
The government is set to move forward with CP's international tender for 12 high-speed trains, expected to be finalized this year. The arrival of these trains is projected for 2032, enabling the launch of high-speed service on the Porto-Lisbon route in the same year.

The National Elections Commission (CNE) is urging citizens to participate in the upcoming presidential elections on Sunday, despite forecasts of bad weather. The CNE has recommended the organization of special public transport to facilitate voter turnout and ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote under the best possible conditions.

The Lisbon Metro has announced preventive measures in response to forecasted bad weather, which may lead to delays in the opening of the Blue and Green lines on Saturday. These measures include the installation of protective barriers at critical access points and the temporary closure of access to six stations.

The PSD parliamentary group has tabled a bill to amend TVDE rules so that taxis can operate under TVDE, caps on dynamic fares would be removed, vehicles such as tricycles and quadricycles could be used, and passengers could be subject to ratings. The proposal would further blur the regulatory distinction between traditional taxis and app-based ride-hailing, increase fare volatility through unconstrained dynamic pricing, and broaden the fleet types competing on platforms. Key implications include questions over safety, insurance and enforcement for non‑standard vehicles, the effects of passenger ratings on access and fairness, and the need for regulatory safeguards to protect drivers and consumers.

Rail services on the Linha do Norte between Castanheira do Ribatejo and Alverca (Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon) were suspended at about 06:00 due to flooding of the track, CP – Comboios de Portugal confirmed. The suspension affects local commuter links on this section and comes as the declared state of calamity for the area has been extended until 8 February; authorities and the operator are monitoring conditions and assessing restoration timelines.
The privatisation jury for Azores Airlines has recommended rejecting the Atlantic Connect Group's sole admitted bid — an offer of €17 million for 85% of Azores Airlines' share capital — on the grounds that it does not safeguard the interests of SATA and the Azores region. SATA said it is analysing the panel's recommendation.

After Lisbon and Porto urban lines were opened to the possibility of sub‑concession, the mayor of Cascais has proposed that Cascais — together with Oeiras and Lisbon — take over management of the Cascais suburban line and make train journeys within the municipality free for residents, workers and students. The proposal reframes the sub‑concession debate as an opportunity for local control but raises practical questions about funding the revenue shortfall, coordinating services across municipalities, the legal and contractual steps required, and the potential impacts on ridership, local traffic and equity.

Lisbon’s Marquês de Pombal metro station will undergo around four months of maintenance works aimed at improving user conditions and overall upkeep; authorities stress the station will remain open and train services will be uninterrupted. The intervention is presented as routine maintenance with minimal impact on commuters, with operations and timetables maintained throughout the works.

Two people were reportedly stabbed near Trindade metro station in Porto; suspects fled the scene. One man sustained minor injuries and was taken to Santo António Hospital. The incident raises concerns about safety at a major transport hub and is likely to prompt a police investigation and reviews of security and emergency response measures to reassure the public and protect commuters.

Transtejo has suspended vehicle transport for an indefinite period because of Depression Ingrid and adverse forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Passenger services have been restricted to the Porto Brandão–Belém route and are operating to the timetables in force. The measure is expected to disrupt vehicle crossings and related travel plans; no date for resumption has been announced.

Lisbon Metro has opened three central stations overnight to provide emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness amid cold weather. Oriente (Red Line), Rossio (Green Line) and Santa Apolónia (Blue Line) will be accessible from Friday through the early hours of Tuesday at least, a period that the city warns may be extended or shortened depending on ongoing weather assessments. The move — driven by concern from Lisbon City Council — uses transport infrastructure as temporary refuge and highlights the need for coordinated short-term protection and wider services for people sleeping rough during extreme conditions.

Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) and CP have postponed a planned maintenance intervention on the Cascais Line that was due to take place on Sunday, citing adverse weather. As a result, there will be no timetable changes on the section between São Pedro do Estoril and Cascais for that day. The decision prioritises safety and the continuity of services, with the intervention to be rescheduled when conditions allow to minimise disruption to passengers.

Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) will deliver to the Government “in the coming days” a proposed management model for the three Tagus crossings. If approved, the proposal will move to a concession tender covering the two existing bridges and the planned Third Tagus Crossing (TTT), signalling a move towards outsourced management that could affect tolling, maintenance responsibilities and wider transport policy. Key details on timeline, contract structure and public‑private risk allocation remain to be confirmed.
