Seixal, Setubal, Portugal, Jan. 21, 2026 (Lusa) - The Lisbon region river Tagus South Bank Transport Users' Commission has asked the Portuguese Government and commuter train operator, Fertagus, for clarification on the new carriages planned to improve the train service and what measures have been taken to address the "serious delays in train traffic".

In a statement released on Wednesday, the South Bank Transport Users' Commission (CUMTS) explains that, in September, information was released that two carriages had been purchased from the Spanish operator Renfe and that the purchase of another two from the same company was being considered.

This information was reported by the Público newspaper on 20 September, stating that Fertagus had purchased trains from Renfe to bolster its fleet and that "the first two carriages would arrive in Portugal in October".

The passengers' commission now wants to know from the government and the company about the announced carriages, "given the urgent need to strengthen supply, considering the chaotic situation we are experiencing today, with trains constantly overcrowded".

"Passengers want to know whether these measures have ever been implemented and what the expected timetable is for them to come into service," the commission said in the statement, indicating that the questions were addressed on Tuesday to both the government and the Fertagus management.

Although it considers that these acquisitions could have some impact "in relieving rush hour congestion", the passengers' commission warns that the measure "will be nothing more than a quick fix", arguing that "a real increase in supply is needed, with the interval between trains at rush hour shortened to 5 or 6 minutes, always with double trains" (i.e. eight carriages).

"The passengers' Commission awaits a response, but above all it awaits the entry into service of the new carriages and the implementation of structural measures by the company and the government that effectively respond to the increase in demand that has been seen in recent years and guarantee the safety of passengers during their journeys," it maintains.

In addition to this issue, passengers also questioned the management about the measures taken in terms of maintenance, in view of recent situations that led to the immobilisation of trains and serious delays in train traffic.

Since the beginning of January, at least four anomalies have been recorded, one of which occurred on Tuesday in the railway infrastructure.

Also on Tuesday, the mayor of Seixal, Paulo Silva, described the way passengers travel on Fertagus trains as "inhumane" and demanded that the government and the company take urgent measures.

Paulo Silva travelled between Foros de Amora and Corroios, railway stations located in the district of Seixal, as he did a year ago in response to the constraints encountered at that time.

"The train arrived 20 minutes late and completely full at Foros de Amora station, with no comfortable conditions whatsoever. It is almost inhumane to go to work in these conditions," said the mayor, adding that he would request meetings with Fertagus and the government to discuss the problem, arguing that the solution lies in acquiring more carriages and more trains to increase capacity.

Due to the successive constraints, an online petition was launched in early January, which the passengers' commission joined, demanding urgent improvement of the Fertagus rail service connecting Lisbon and Setúbal, and an end to the delays and cancellations that passengers report are occurring.

The petition currently has 5,442 signatories who are concerned about mobility in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, denouncing "the continuous deterioration of the service provided by Fertagus, resulting in frequent delays, train cancellations, overcrowding and serious failures in passenger information".

According to the petitioners, who want to see the issue debated in parliament and whose request for a hearing has already been made, these situations occur repeatedly and systematically, affecting thousands of workers, students and families, and causing professional, economic and personal damage.

Fertagus is the company that holds the concession for commuter passenger rail transport on the so-called north-south axis, which includes the crossing of the 25 de Abril Bridge, connecting the regions of Lisbon and Setúbal, with 14 stations.

Ten stations are located on the south bank of the Tagus (Setúbal, Palmela, Venda do Alcaide, Pinhal Novo, Penalva, Coina, Fogueteiro, Foros de Amora, Corroios and Pragal) and four on the north bank (Campolide, Sete Rios, Entrecampos and Roma-Areeiro).

GC/AYLS // AYLS

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