Metro Mondego had its application approved for a PT2030 community framework program to invest in the purchase of buses and the construction of the Material and Workshop Park (PMO).
The investments, which have a budget of 43.4 million euros, are carried over from the previous community framework and will now be implemented and financed within the scope of PT2030.
According to Metro Mondego, the purchase of buses that will circulate in the Mondego Mobility System (SMM) and the electric charging system and the construction of the PMO, in Sobral de Ceira, will be financed by PT2030 at 36.9 million euros.
The application was approved under the Sustainable 2030 Program, Metro Mondego said, in a notice that only this entity could apply, according to the PT2030 program website consulted by the Lusa agency.
“The SMM was considered an operation of strategic importance due to the contribution it makes to achieving the sustainability goals to which the country has committed and for its relevance in improving the quality of life of the populations covered”, highlighted Metro Mondego.
It should be remembered that the acquisition of the vehicles was consigned to the representative of the Chinese company Zhongtong, for a total of 40.5 million euros (plus an additional charge of 12.7 million euros related to maintenance services, during the 15 years useful life of the vehicles).
The construction of the PMO was awarded, in 2023, for around 7.5 million euros
Subsequently, at the beginning of this year, the PMO’s complementary contract was awarded, for around 2.2 million euros.
The SMM consists of the implementation of sections of dedicated track (with some exceptions in Coimbra), where electric buses will run and will operate on the old Lousã railway branch, closed in January 2010, and in the urban area of Coimbra, connecting this city to Serpins, in the municipality of Lousã, passing through Miranda do Corvo and Lousã, covering a length of 42 kilometers.
Operations on the suburban section should start at the end of 2024 and in the city of Coimbra in 2025, according to Metro Mondego.
