This Friday, the Metropolitano de Lisboa (ML) expressed regret for the disruptions that have occurred in the service in recent days, justifying them by the implementation of the signaling system and assuring that it is “working to minimize cases of this kind.”
“Metropolitano Lisboa regrets all the inconveniences caused by the disruptions to public transport services recorded in recent days and calls on its customers to be understanding, explaining that it continues to work actively to minimize cases of this kind in the future” (…), the company said in a statement.
In recent weeks, Lisbon Metro services, particularly on the blue and green lines, have experienced some restrictions due to signalling problems.
In a note published this Friday, ML explains that since May 2021 it has been carrying out “an investment contract that provides, among other things, for the complete replacement of its current railway signalling system (CBTC), installed in the 1970s.”
Despite the limitations, which have also been seen on the Lisbon Metro’s Green Line, the company stresses that it is the Blue Line that is “defined by the contract as the first to have the new signalling system installed” and that it is here that “the main tests and trials will take place”.
“Since that date, a series of night-time tests have been carried out to confirm the new functionality of the signalling system, namely, to check the parameters of traffic control and the conduct of trains in accordance with the timetable definitions, with the aim of achieving higher frequencies and reducing waiting times,” they note.
Metropolitano de Lisboa estimates that all functions of the new signalling system will be operational in the first quarter of 2025.
“Almost 50 years later, Metropolitano de Lisboa replaces a system that guarantees safe train service, and in the future, with the new CBTC, we hope to achieve, in line with international benchmarks, greater reliability, reduced travel and waiting times, and faster response to breakdowns and service replacements,” the company concludes.
The Lisbon metro operates four lines daily: yellow (Rato-Odivelas), green (Telheiras-Cais do Sodré), blue (Reboleira-Santa Apolónia) and red (Airport-São Sebastião).
The metro usually operates from 6:30 to 1:00.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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