Portugal's CP Explores Future Demand for Regional and International Train Services Connecting Galicia and Algarve

CP's Ambitious Study on Train Services

Comboios de Portugal (CP) has contracted a demand study for regional services and is inviting proposals for a study of night trains between Galicia and Algarve, including connections to Salamanca.

This initiative stems from a contract signed with the consultancy Trenmo, which aims to analyze regional services along the Porto-Entroncamento axis. This study is part of a bidding process for demand studies on services for the Minho, Norte, Beira Alta, Beira Baixa, and Algarve lines, intended to finance the purchase of 55 regional trains from an order of 117 trains, currently in litigation.

Breakdown of the Studies

The studies are divided into four lots:

1. Minho Line: This lot will evaluate the potential transport market for both regional and long-distance services, particularly on the high-speed axis linking Lisbon, Porto, Vigo, and A Coruña, including connections to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. The analysis will cover six service scenarios, incorporating international trains between Lisbon-Porto-Corunha and Faro-Corunha (both conventional and overnight).

2. North Line: This segment focuses on the stretch between Porto and Entroncamento, incorporating Coimbra and Aveiro. It aims to develop a scheduled regional train service and a new interregional night service between Lisbon and Porto.

3. Beira Alta and Beira Baixa Lines: This study will assess demand for regional transport and long-distance connections to Salamanca, analyzing various service scenarios.

4. Algarve Line: This lot will study demand for regional and long-distance transport to Lisbon and Évora, proposing five scenarios including regional services along the Tavira-Faro axis and long-distance routes between Lisbon and Vila Real de Santo António.

Future High-Speed Lines

The planned high-speed line should connect Porto and Lisbon in just 1 hour and 15 minutes, with potential stops in Gaia, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Leiria. The Porto-Vigo journey is estimated to take 50 minutes.

The first phase of this high-speed line (Porto-Soure) is expected to be completed by 2030, with the second phase (Soure-Carregado) anticipated by 2032, connecting to Lisbon via the North Line. The Porto-Vigo connection is planned for 2032, with stations proposed at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Braga, Ponte de Lima, and Valença.