Lisbon’s Tagus Ferries Resume Service, but Brace for New Disruptions

Portugal’s public ferry operator Transtejo/Soflusa has restored nearly all Tagus River crossings after a string of suspensions, a move that immediately unclogs the daily commute for thousands living south of Lisbon—but officials caution that another burst of bad weather or a workers’ assembly could force fresh stoppages.

Why This Matters

• Rush-hour bottlenecks eased: The Cacilhas–Cais do Sodré and Trafaria–Belém links carry up to 25,000 passengers on a regular weekday.

• Check status before leaving home: Service can still be halted with little notice; the Transtejo app and social-media feeds post minute-by-minute alerts.

• Ticket prices unchanged—for now: Navegante passes remain €40 metropolitan-wide, but single ferry tickets will edge up by 2.28 % later this year.

• Mid-term fix in the works: Ten new electric ferries are entering service, yet unions say maintenance gaps could keep reliability shaky through 2026.

State of the River

Storm systems “Leonardo” and “Kristin” blasted the Lisbon estuary with gusts above 80 km/h and heavy swells during the first week of February. By 5 February, all routes except Barreiro were shut at least once. Sand and debris piled up around Porto Brandão pier, forcing cleanup teams from Almada’s civil-protection unit to carve a safe channel before boats could dock again. Normal timetables finally resumed late on 9 February—three days quicker than the previous major outage in 2025, according to Portugal’s Maritime Authority.

Lingering Operational Hurdles

Beyond the weather, the company’s transition to battery-powered vessels has exposed new weak spots:

Charging glitches occasionally strand ferries overnight; technicians in Sweden must sometimes reboot systems remotely.

Wind limits: The lighter electric hulls are certified only up to 22 knots of wind, below the 25–27 knot threshold tolerated by the older diesel craft.

Crew availability: Unions secured a 4.3 % pay rise last year but still threaten more stoppages if the 2026 state budget trims the maintenance fund.

What This Means for Residents

• Build extra time into morning plans for at least the next fortnight; Transtejo will operate on a “weather-watch” protocol that could insert gaps of up to 30 minutes.

• Download the official app (iOS/Android) and turn on push alerts; they are typically faster than station loudspeaker notices.

• Hold on to paper backup tickets if you rely on the Navegante QR code. Smartphone validators at Cacilhas and Seixal occasionally drop offline after power surges.

• If you drive, note that vehicle transport on the Trafaria–Porto Brandão–Belém loop remains suspended; alternative is the 25 de Abril bridge or the A2 tollway.

The Bigger Picture: Electric Fleet and Budget Politics

Lisbon’s metropolitan authority earmarked €26.5 M for the Tagus electrification plan, yet a parliamentary committee heard last month that the total outlay has already topped €117 M. Opposition MPs demand an extra €15 M in the 2026 budget solely for spare parts and pier refurbishments, claiming nearly 1,000 sailings were cancelled in 2025 due to “no-ship available” codes. Meanwhile, planners behind the Parque Cidades do Tejo megaproject insist that reliable river transport is non-negotiable if the new 200,000-job corridor is to avoid gridlock.

Looking Ahead

Meteorologists expect calmer seas through mid-February, but another Atlantic low could roll in before month-end. Transtejo’s board says that by then at least three electric ferries should be on the Seixal–Cais do Sodré line, adding a layer of redundancy. For south-bank residents eyeing cheaper rents across the water, the message is clear: river commuting remains viable, just not yet bulletproof.