The Portugal 2030 strategy is a government programme, based on EU funds, which includes plans for the recovery and development of the economy and society in Portuguese territory over the next 10 years.

The document, which has been under public consultation since 15 November by the Portuguese government, states that it will “support the connection of a tram system Faro - Airport - University of Algarve - Parque das Cidades - Loulé - Olhão, covering a distance of around 35km, contributing both to the decarbonisation of the regional transport system and to road safety”.

For those who have never been there, “Parque das Cidades” is the name of a train station on the Algarve Line, which serves the locality of São João da Venda and the Algarve Stadium, in Faro.

The new project will directly cover the "highest population density in the south of the country, which means more than 150,000 regular residents in urban and suburban areas, who travel daily in their own cars, often with a single occupant".

Additionally, it also aims to support “the boarding/ disembarkation of passengers at Faro Airport who seek these urban centres and also those who choose to continue their way by train”.

Also according to the proposal for funds for 2030, the Algarve regional programme is the one that most increased its allocation of European funds, from the current €319 million in Portugal 2020 to €780 million in the new Portugal 2030.

Besides the Algarve, other main goals defined in the programme include the modernisation of the National Railway Network with electrification and rehabilitation of some sections with the aim of improving sustainability, greater comfort for passengers and higher speed. Additionally, it is also intended to build a high-speed link between Porto and Lisbon, extending north to Galicia, with important reductions in travel times, allowing the replacement of air transport between Porto and Lisbon, among others.

These building works are part of the proposal for the distribution of funds for Portugal 2030, which is under public consultation until 30 November. The document is available at https://www.consultalex.gov.pt/ConsultaPublica_Detail.aspx?Consulta_Id=228

Author

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins