Lisbon, May 16, 2025 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Court of Auditors has given prior approval to the contract for the purchase of 72 new passenger carriages for the Lisbon Metro fleet, the transport company announced on Friday.
In a statement, Metro de Lisboa revealed that the Court of Auditors (TdC)'s authorisation refers to the purchase of 24 triple units, provided for in a contract signed on 22 October 2024 with the company Stadler Rail Valencia, for a value of €134 million.
The contract has an overall duration of 54 months (four and a half years), starting after the date of prior approval.
According to the Lisbon Metro, there is also an option to buy a further 36 carriages (12 triple units) for the company's fleet.
The Lisbon Metro justifies the purchase of the new 24 triple units, from the ML 24 series, “with the expected increase in demand on the metro network over the next few years due to the expansion of the network, the increase and adjustment of operating frequencies as a result of the installation of the new CBTC (Communications-based Train Control) regulation system” and the need to ensure the replacement of end-of-life assets.
The new ML 24s work with "a new automatic and continuous train control system, new video surveillance systems, air conditioning and ventilation, fire detection, space for larger pieces of luggage, digital panels for customer information and improved evacuation conditions," said Metropolitano de Lisboa.
Each of the 24 triple units has two motor carriages and an intermediate trailer carriage and is prepared for automatic driving with a driver on board.
The new carriages ensure full accessibility, with areas for attaching wheelchairs and an intercom and warning button for contacting the driver, as well as a reinforced visual contrast between the doors and the structure of the carriages which, "combined with other visual and audible indicators, allows visually impaired customers to better locate the doors and gauge their opening and closing status".
The international public tender for the purchase of these units was launched on 4 December 2023, with a base price of €138 million plus VAT.
The purchase is co-financed to the tune of €45 million by the Sustainable 2030 Programme and the rest by the Environmental Fund.
RCS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
