MPs from the Socialist Party (PS) have questioned the Government over the continued absence of electric trains on the Algarve railway line, despite the completion of long-awaited electrification works.
The Socialist politicians elected for the Faro constituency have published a letter, outlining their keenness to hear why diesel trains are still operating across the Algarve network, despite the electrification project having been completed and certification tests having already been carried out.
In a formal question addressed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, MPs Luís Graça and Vítor Guerreiro recalled that previous Socialist governments secured the funding and launched the electrification contracts for the Algarve railway line, also arguing that the continued use of diesel rolling stock is difficult to justify.
The works involved two sections of the network, between Vila Real de Santo António and Faro, and between Lagos and Tunes, representing a total investment of around €80 million.
According to the parliamentarians, the electrification works have already been completed and trial runs using an electric train have taken place as part of the infrastructure certification process, including a first test journey carried out almost a year ago, on 24 June 2025.
Against this backdrop, Luís Graça and Vítor Guerreiro are demanding to know when new electric trains are expected to enter service on the Algarve line and what type of rolling stock will ultimately be deployed.
The MPs have also requested all documentation relating to the certification process for the Vila Real de Santo António–Faro and Tunes–Lagos sections, including the respective technical conclusions.
In their parliamentary initiative, the Socialist deputies stressed that the electrification of the Algarve railway line had generated significant expectations among Algarve residents due to the anticipated benefits in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and passenger comfort.
Source: PS
Photo Credit: Bruno Filipe Pires
