train: CP will acquire new units on diesel or on electrified sections, to circulate in the Alentejo Line.
The Minister of Infrastructure announced yesterday in parliament where he announced the rolling stock modernization program that will allow to have a better service in the line of Alentejo, which will prevent transshipments of passengers.
Pedro Marques was heard in parliament, in Lisbon, about the state budget for 2018 (OE2018) and highlighted several planned investments for the railroad, in which the executive expects to invest about 360 million, both in terms of infrastructure, either rolling.
Regarding the rolling stock, next year "will be accelerated" the rolling stock modernization program of the CP - Train Portugal, with an intervention in 35 units, and will start the new rolling stock acquisition program CP, for the acquisition of eight units which may run on diesel or electrified sections, with an estimated cost of 60 million, "To strengthen the territorial cohesion of the network".
According to the minister, This rolling stock will allow to have a better service on the routes of the West, Douro and Alentejo, which will prevent transshipments of passengers.
The next two weeks will also be released the railway conservation contest existing infrastructure 126 million, but nothing is intended to Alentejo Line.
The minister announced that “we next 90 days” It will be released “the first major work”, that is missing to call Portugal to the rest of Europe for South – the section between Évora and Elvas, a contest 70 million, “then gradually developing any investment associated with it”.
Pedro do Carmo position, President of the Lower Alentejo Federation and member of the Socialist Party.
However in a statement the deputy PS elected by Beja, Pedro do Carmo, holds that “a Mobility is essential for people, territories and local economies”, adding the railroad “It is an important transport solution for the region, that did not in the past 20 year old, or attention or investment”. In the document between multiple considering, holds that “cimbal to assume the defense of rail services in the region as an important pillar for the mobility of the population and the tourist affirmation of the territory of the Lower Alentejo.
Pedro do Carmo document
Beja deserves and needs much more. More to the lives of people. More to the dynamics of the rural world. More to give future to a region with low density, but high production potential, and cultural identity.
Everyone knows that the financial resources of the country are limited.
Everyone knows that the current government of PS, supported by PCP, BE e PEV, in addition to the replacement strategy of the citizens of income, It is determined to catch up in various sectors, in which it integrates the railway mobility.
Everyone knows that the current Community framework of Portugal 2020 It was negotiated by the previous government PSD / CDS, not contemplating any re-qualification response railway offer for Alentejo.
Now, after months of meetings and contacts without howls with the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure and the CP, everyone also knows that the government of PS, by CP, will launch a tender for the acquisition of new carriages, with better comfort conditions for users, allow its use, without stopping, on the railway line between Beja and Lisbon.
The international tender for the purchase of new railcars and locomotives will allow the improvement of rail services, through an investment confirmed by the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, Pedro Marques, already during the state budget debate 2018.
According to the Minister of Planning Pedro Marques, the modernization program rolling CP – Train Portugal, with an intervention in 35 units, and will start the new rolling stock acquisition program CP, for the acquisition of eight units which may run on diesel or electrified sections, with an estimated cost of 60 million, “to strengthen the territorial cohesion of the network”.
What is known today is important to stress:
1- The current situation of rail service provided is largely unsatisfactory for the needs of the people of Alentejo, a result of 20 years of disinvestment and abandonment. No one doubts that Beja deserves much more;
2- PS and government share the political will to upgrade the rail public transport supply in the region;
3- PS and government share the political will to, under the short and medium term availability, improve the conditions of transport and operation of rail services;
4- The government will launch an international tender for the purchase of new railcars and locomotives also for the line Beja, allowing a service without forced stops to Lisbon;
5- PS holds that, under the reprogramming of the current EU framework Portugal 2020, funds are contemplated for the electrification of the railway line of Beja and take place the reinforcement work of REN substations;
6- The PS defends the cymbal assume the defense of rail services in the region as an important pillar for the mobility of the population and tourist affirmation of the territory of the Lower Alentejo.
If everyone knows the circumstances of the state of the service and the conditions necessary to overcome the situation arising from the divestment of many years, the reasons of the current unrest when the government of PS presents a way to resolve the situation?
The answer may lie in committed silences of years or the need for partisan political agitation when it is known to reverse the situation requires time to meet the milestones of international public tenders or the opportunity to renegotiate the Community Support Framework.
If the solutions were easy, since the CFP was put on the table as a priority in the state budget for negotiation 2018 concrete proposals budgeted and funding source of reference for today's resolve for tomorrow, the rolling situation, the electrification of the line and increasing comfort conditions of users.
The answer is to continue working on solutions, to continue, seriously and without populism, to defend Lisbon and Beja, achieving the regeneration of commitments Beja railway line.
