Alarms Are Sounded on Ageing Fertagus Train Fleet & Constant Delays

Fertagus commuters are demanding urgent action after a summer marked by stall-outs, packed carriages and missed connections on the Lisbon–Setúbal line. Travel times have lengthened, tempers have shortened, and September’s return to work and school already looks daunting.

A Private Link Under Strain

Opened in 1999 to coax drivers off the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Fertagus corridor connects four stations in Lisbon to ten on the south bank. 18 state-owned trains—now all more than two decades old—cover the route, which is run by a private operator under a concession recently extended to 2031.

Breakdowns Becoming the Norm

Over the past three months alone, passengers have endured repeated stoppages: a 39-minute delay on 30 June after a unit died outside Roma-Areeiro; a medical emergency the same morning that stranded hundreds in Campolide; and a string of smaller faults on 27 June, 8 April and 13 July. Riders say the trains “crawl and jolt” between stations, contradicting the company’s frequent claim that signalling is to blame.

‘We Need an Independent Inspection’

Aristides Teixeira, who heads the Fertagus Users’ Committee, warns that “chaos” looms once holiday traffic ends. His group has asked the Ministry of Infrastructure for a third-party audit of the entire fleet, arguing that ageing air-conditioning units, doors and traction systems—not trackside lights—are the real culprits. The committee will deliver its formal request in Lisbon this week.

Timetable Tweaks, Capacity Crunch

A December 2024 schedule change cut some rush-hour formations from eight to four cars. Since then, “sandwich” conditions at Pragal, Coina and Sete Rios have become routine, leaving late-arriving passengers unable to board. The national mobility regulator concluded in January that the current offering “does not cope with high occupancy or incidents” and urged more rolling stock—something Fertagus cannot procure without state approval.

Government Signals Sympathy, Not Yet Solutions

Secretary of State for Mobility Cristina Pinto Dias says she is “following the situation closely,” but has not committed to the independent audit. The ministry must also weigh requests for extra trains against a tight national fleet and the financial terms of the concession extension, signed largely to offset pandemic losses.

Ombudsman Proposal Draws on UK Model

Alongside the audit, riders want a dedicated passenger ombudsman empowered to mediate complaints across all Portuguese transit operators. Britain’s Rail Ombudsman, launched in 2018, is cited as proof that an impartial referee can speed up dispute resolution and push companies to improve service.

How It Affects Foreign Residents

For many expatriates living south of the Tagus, Fertagus is the fastest, cheapest way into Lisbon’s job market and cultural life. Persistent delays can ripple through work schedules, child-care plans and even residency paperwork appointments, which often hinge on strict arrival times.

What to Watch Next

The Users’ Committee expects a government response before mid-September. If none comes, it is weighing protests and legal action. Until then, travellers should plan for longer journeys, monitor Fertagus’ app for real-time alerts, and keep records of extra expenses in case compensation becomes available.