The Fertagus user committee will file a complaint with the European Commission against the Portuguese State for allowing passengers to be transported daily in conditions “outside European standards” and with health risks, it was announced this Thursday, February 26th.
According to the commission’s spokesperson, Aristides Teixeira, the service provided by Fertagus, a railway line that connects the two banks of the Tagus via the 25 de Abril Bridge, between Lisbon and Setúbal, is no longer an alternative as public transport, as people experience a “Dantesque” scenario of overcrowded carriages on a daily basis.
In the 21st century, he highlighted, users travel “stacked and jostling”, in conditions that are not even found when transporting livestock.
“It is the worst passenger transport that exists in the country. It is an attack on public health and a disrespect for its dignity, in addition to the safety issues, which we believe must be investigated”, he said.
According to Aristides Teixeira, the design of the rolling stock did not foresee the carriages “being packed with passengers”.
“Faced with this scenario and being aware that everyone knows what is happening, we understand that we must file a complaint against the Portuguese State with the European Commission, which has a transport subcommittee”he emphasized.
The user committee also intends to make the new President of the Republic aware of this situation experienced by thousands of passengers who travel every day on the Fertagus service.
The railway connection between Lisbon and the so-called Margem Sul was opened on July 29, 1999, with the aim of removing cars from the 25 de Abril Bridge.
The crossing connects the Roma-Areeiro stations, in Lisbon, to Setúbal, and has 10 stations on the South Bank and four in the capital.
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