34 million euros in European funds are planned for Metro do Porto to purchase up to 32 new vehicles.

The European funds’ Sustainable Development 2030 programme is providing Metro do Porto with 34 million euros to purchase up to 32 new vehicles, with a notice of application to be launched by the end of the year, Lusa said.

According to the annual notification plan available on the page of the European funds programme Portugal 2030, of which Sustainable Development 2030 is a part, Metro do Porto plans to allocate 34 million euros for the purchase of 22 new vehicles plus 10 as an option.

The same notification plan also includes 225 million euros earmarked for the “Extension of the Metro and BRT Network (ISMAI – Paradela and Dragao – Souto)”, with the notification expected to be published by the end of the year.

At stake is both the strengthening of the vehicle fleet and the expansion of the metro network to Trofa (metro to Muro and metrobus to Trofa) and Gondomar.

Last October, the previous government authorised Metro do Porto to spend up to 82.9 million euros on the acquisition of 22 new trains, as well as 10 additional trains, which included 8.6 million euros for maintenance.

“The acquisition of 22 compositions involves financial execution over more than one financial year, between 2024 and 2026 inclusive, for a maximum amount of 74,242,000.00 euros, an amount to which value added tax at the current statutory rate is added,” can be read in the text published on Tuesday.

According to the Council of Ministers’ decree, the acquisition of new trains is aimed at “guaranteeing the fleet necessary for the operation” of the future Rubi line (Casa da Música – Santo Ovidio), as well as “strengthening the supply in the remaining transport network”.

The 18 vehicles, purchased from China’s CRRC Tangshan, are already in service. Metro do Porto also has 72 Eurotrams and 30 Flexity Swift cars.