According to a statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, the new schedules, which come into force on December 15th, represent “an increase of 73% in vacancies offered on weekdays and 172% on weekends and holidays”.

“This reinforcement of train circulation between Lisbon and Setúbal, in a total of 14 stations [including the Penalva, Pinhal Novo, Venda do Alcaide, Palmela and Setúbal stations, among others] represents a significant improvement in the quality of life for the populations of the municipalities of the Setúbal Peninsula with reduced waiting times and less crowded trains”, the document reads.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, cited in the statement, considers that “the extension of the Fertagus concession contract for six years and six months translates into measures with a very positive impact for the populations that cross the Tagus in train".

“Trains every 20 minutes to Setúbal, every day, represent a saving of time for the population which, at the end of the day, results in a better quality of life”, highlights the official.

The statement says that “travel to Coina will maintain a frequency of trains every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes outside peak hours” and that, on weekends and holidays, it increases from every 30 minutes for a periodicity of every 20 minutes.