Passenger numbers rose across Portuguese transport, except on metro systems
Official figures for the second quarter show more passengers using most transport modes than a year earlier. Metro journeys fell 1.0% to 73 million, the third consecutive quarterly decline.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 12 September 2026The national trend helps explain pressure on busy services, but it does not show whether one route is reliable, accessible or frequent enough for a daily journey.
- Passenger numbers increased year on year in every measured transport mode except metropolitan rail.
- Metro systems carried 73 million passengers from April to June, 1.0% fewer than a year earlier.
- This was the third consecutive quarter in which metro passenger numbers declined.
- National totals cannot confirm the frequency or reliability of a specific route.
What the figures tell us
Statistics Portugal recorded annual passenger growth across road, rail, air and water transport in the second quarter. Metro use was the exception, falling by 1.0% compared with the same period of 2025 after a 2.2% fall in the previous quarter.
The result describes the volume of journeys, not the quality of a service. A growing national total can coexist with crowding, disruption or weak coverage in a particular municipality.
Test the journey you will actually make
If public transport is central to a housing decision, test the complete trip on a normal weekday. Include the walk to the stop, the connection, the return after work and the service available at night or on Sunday.
Check the operator's current timetable and disruption notices. An attractive rail or metro line on a map is only useful if the station, frequency and last service fit the routine you need.
What you can do now.
- 01
Test the intended journey at the time you would normally travel.
- 02
Check the last return service and weekend frequency.
- 03
Keep a realistic alternative for disruptions or missed connections.
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