The CP administration visited the Braga Municipal Council this week to clarify the constraints associated with the works on the railway line between Espinho and Aveiro. João Rodrigues thanked the company for its availability, acknowledging the complexity of the existing limitations, but stressed the need to maintain the current service offering.
“I understand the reasons presented by CP and recognize that we are facing unavoidable technical constraints. However, I have an obligation to defend Braga's interests and draw attention to the consequences this reduction will have for those who rely on rail transport,” stated the mayor.
According to CP, the reduction will be temporary, limited to the period of the works, with direct services expected to be reinstated upon their completion. Nevertheless, João Rodrigues considers it essential for CP to make every possible effort to mitigate passenger disruptions, particularly by improving transfer conditions in Porto, coordinating schedules, and reducing waiting times.
“We need works to be done well, completed on time, and that bring effective improvements to the rail service. It is not enough to recover what is temporarily lost. The goal must be that, at the end of these works, Braga has an even better offering, with more connections, better schedules, and a more competitive service,” he emphasized.
The Braga Municipal Council will maintain dialogue with CP and Infraestruturas de Portugal, monitoring the situation and advocating for the modernization of the railway infrastructure to translate into a genuine reinforcement of the region's connections to the rest of the country.
“Braga is a city with growing economic and demographic weight and needs a railway system commensurate with that reality. We want the works to progress quickly, be well executed, passengers to be properly looked after during their execution, and for us to have a better service in the end than what exists today. That is the commitment we expect from the responsible entities,” concluded João Rodrigues.
