Emotional Farewell: Over 200 Gather for the Last Train Departure from Coimbra's Historic Station

A Historic Moment in Coimbra

More than 200 people gathered this Sunday just after midnight to bid farewell to the last train departing from Estação Nova in the center of Coimbra, which is closing after 140 years of service.

Protests Against Closure

About 15 minutes before the final train's departure, attendees began assembling at Estação Nova (also known as Coimbra-A), with some chanting slogans like "it's a bad solution to close the station" while holding banners against the long-announced end of the railway connection to the city center. This closure is part of the Mondego Mobility System (SMM) project, which will replace trains with articulated electric buses on dedicated lanes.

The Mayor's Presence

Around midnight, José Manuel Silva, the Mayor of Coimbra, arrived at the station, facing some boos from the crowd. He insisted on making the last journey from Coimbra-A to Coimbra-B, accompanied by several members of his administration and representatives from Metro Mondego, including its president, João Marrana.

Despite the protests, Silva explained to journalists that the SMM project was a decision that had been "made and consolidated" before he took office in 2021. He noted that reversing the previous administration's plans would mean starting over. However, he felt it was important to be present for this "historic journey".

The Final Departure

The train, originally scheduled to leave at 00:20 for Figueira da Foz, finally departed at 00:30, accompanied by a prolonged horn sound. Most attendees decided to take the four-minute trip to Coimbra-B, while some stayed behind at Estação Nova to say their goodbyes.

Inside the carriages, amidst conversations and songs, there was a prevailing quietness among the passengers traveling along the Mondego River. Upon arriving at Coimbra-B, the crowd echoed lines from Zeca Afonso's song "Os Vampiros": "They eat everything, they eat everything, they eat everything, and leave nothing".

Reflections on the Closure

Luís Neto from the Civic Movement for Estação Nova (MCEN) expressed that he was "at peace with the situation, but it's always an emotional moment". He described the event as historical, marking the end of the railway connection to the city center. Despite the loss, he is determined to continue advocating for public transport and railway in the region.

Duarte Miranda, another MCEN participant, acknowledged that the station's closure was already a reality when the SMM project was awarded. He reflected on the difficulties of reversing such decisions, feeling the somber atmosphere during the trip to Coimbra-B.

Starting this Sunday, transportation between the two stations will be provided by Metro Mondego's bus service. By the end of the year, articulated electric buses from the SMM are expected to operate on the former railway tracks.