“On the Northern Line, and until further notice, there are no Alfa Pendular trains,” said passenger train operator CP – Comboios de Portugal, in a statement at 1:00 p.m. yesterday, adding that Intercidades trains are also not expected to run throughout the day due to bad weather.
According to the transport company, Regional services are running on the Northern Line between Entroncamento and Soure, between Coimbra-Aveiro-Porto and between Tomar and Lisbon. As a result of the bad weather, rail traffic is also suspended on the Beira Baixa Line, with only regional trains running between Castelo Branco and Guarda.
Train services also continue to be affected on the Cascais commuter line, in the Lisbon district, where there are changes to timetables, so it is recommended that you check the website cp.pt, and on the Beira Alta Line, where the Intercity service between Coimbra B and Guarda is operating with different rolling stock than usual.
Services were also suspended on the Douro Line between Régua and Pocinho, on the Oeste Line and on the Coimbra Urban Lines, CP reported, adding that the Celta International Train service, connecting Porto to Vigo is not expected to operate.
In the same statement, the country’s road and rail infrastructure managing company, Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) indicated that rail traffic is suspended on sections of the Beira Baixa, Vouga, Sintra, Cascais, North, Douro and Oeste lines due to bad weather.
According to IP, new restrictions on rail traffic include the suspension of sections between Ródão and Sarnadas on the Beira Baixa line and between Oliveira Azeméis and Pinheiro da Bemposta on the Vouga line.
Traffic remains suspended on the Sintra line on the downbound external track between Cacém and Monte Abraão; on the Cascais Line on the ascending track between Algés and Caxias; on the Northern Line between Alfarelos and Formoselha; on the Douro Line between Régua and Pocinho; on the Western Line between Mafra and Amieira; and at the Xabregas junction between Lisbon Santa Apolónia and the Chelas junction.
These disruptions to rail traffic are the result of adverse weather conditions in recent weeks, particularly since 28 January, due to the Kristin depression, “with an impact on infrastructure due to flooding, fallen trees and debris,” IP pointed out.
According to the public company that manages road and rail infrastructure, these events are affecting normal rail operations on several sections, requiring technical interventions to restore safety and regular service.
For this reason, IP teams are on the ground making “every effort” to resolve the situation and restore traffic and safety conditions as quickly as possible. Fifteen people have died in Portugal since 28 January as a result of the Kristin, Leonardo and Marta depressions, which have also caused many hundreds of injuries and displaced persons.
The total or partial destruction of homes, businesses and equipment, the fall of trees and structures, the closure of roads, schools and transport services, and the cutting of power, water and communications, floods and extreme rainfall are the main material consequences of the storms.
The Central, Lisbon and Tagus Valley and Alentejo regions are the most affected. The Government has extended the state of emergency until the 15th for 68 districts and announced support measures of up to €2.5 billion.
