A local campaign group has welcomed the completion of the electrification of the Algarve’s railway line as a significant step forward in the modernisation of the region's rail network, but criticised the decision to deploy second-hand rolling stock rather than new trains.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, REAGIR Algarve praised the electrification of the line, highlighting the expected benefits in terms of operational efficiency, environmental performance, shorter journey times, and improved railway operations.
However, the political group argues that the region should not have to rely on decades-old trains transferred from other parts of the country, insisting that the Algarve deserves investment in brand-new rolling stock.
The new electric trains now operating along the entire length of the Algarve Line (Class UTE 2240) form part of Comboios de Portugal’s (CP) refurbished fleet, which underwent a comprehensive modernisation programme between 2003 and 2005. Their mechanical and electrical systems date from that refurbishment, however, the original bodyshells and structural components trace their origins back to the 1970s and 1980s.
REAGIR maintains that the Algarve's contribution to the national economy, particularly through tourism, justifies a railway system capable of meeting the needs of residents, workers and visitors alike.
According to the statement, the continued use of diesel multiple units that have been in service for several decades reflects an imbalance in public investment when compared with other regions of Portugal.
"The electrification of the Algarve Line is good news. But electrifying the infrastructure alone is not enough if Algarvians continue to be treated as second-class citizens when it comes to investment in rolling stock." The statement also links the issue to the party's longstanding call for greater political and administrative autonomy for the Algarve, arguing that the region should have the authority to set its own priorities and make strategic investment decisions in areas such as transport, healthcare, housing, the environment, and infrastructure.
The group has defended that greater autonomy would enable decisions to be better aligned with the region's specific needs, whilst allowing it to retain and manage a larger share of the revenue generated locally.
Source: REAGIR Algarve
Photo credit: CP
