The Portuguese Communist Party’s draft resolution, "For the improvement of rail transport in the Algarve" has been approved in parliament, with a favourable vote from the ruling socialists.
The draft resolution, which now becomes a parliamentary resolution, proposed that the State completes the electrification of the Algarve line for the 'Lagos - Tunes' and 'Faro - Vila Real de Santo António' sections of track, within the original deadlines.
Also, the project to modernise the Algarve line with a direct rail link to Faro Airport was approved and the possibility of creating a direct rail link between the Algarve and Andalusia is to be followed up.
New electric rolling stock for the Algarve line was approved and the conversion of rail workshops at Vila Real de Santo António to enable the maintenance and repair of the new trains.
A boost in staff numbers was approved, including the hiring of engineers and station staff, as was the upgrading of the rolling stock currently in service on the Algarve line.
Selected stations along the line will be done up and new stops will be created where necessary, plus the reactivation the S. Marcos da Serra station.
Better links between rail and other modes of public transport will be developed, especially at stations farthest from urban centres.
For the Communist Party, these proposals, "undeniably will contribute to an improvement in the service provided to users, making rail the most attractive option for residents and visitors to the region, with a very positive impact on the mobility of people and bringing huge benefits for the environment and sustainable development at local and regional level."
The government needs now to schedule a timetable for the long-overdue work, with inclusion in the 2019 State Budget now a real possibility.
As this alleged debate was not listed in the parliamentray schedule and the date approaches April 1st, readers safely can assume that it is a cruel hoax.
