Metro Transportes do Sul

The MTS, Metro Transportes do Sul also often called the Metro Sul do Tejo is a modern light-rail system in the towns on the south bank of the Tejo river opposite to Lisboa. Construction works started in 2003. The first tram arrived in 2005 and on 30 april 2006 the first section between Corroios and Cova da Piedade was inaugurated and entered public service the next day. On 15 december 2007 the route between Cova da Piedade and Universidade opened and finally on 27 november 2008 the current network was completed by opening the line to Cacilhas.

Network

The network is Y-shaped with three lines.

1. Cacilhas – Cova da Piedade – Corroios; one way trip time 19′
2. Pragal – Cova da Piedade – Corroios; one way trip time 15′
3. Cacilhas – Pragal – Universidade; one way trip time 19′

The length of the network in public service is 12 km, with another 1,5 km between the Corroios terminus and the depot.

There are 19 stops, six each on the Cacilhas and Universidade branches and seven on the Corroios branch. Corroios and Pragal are interchanges with the suburban trains of Fertagus. The long distance trains of the CP to the Alentejo and the Algarve also call in Pragal. Cacilhas is interface with the ferry across the Tejo to Cais do Sodré in Lisboa.

Most of the system is on reserved tracks at the side or in the centre of roads. In the central area of Almada and in the Ramalha area is some street running on roads with limited access by private cars.

The original plans included an about 16 km long extension from Corroios to Fogueteiro – Seixal – Barreiro. However no progress is made with this. Also a proposed extension from Universidade to Costa da Caparica is unlikely to be realised soon (if ever).

Rolling stock

Siemens supplied 24 vehicles of the Combino-plus type. These 4-section articulated 100% low-floor trams have eight axles and are powered by six motors on 100 kW each. They are 36.36 m long and 2.65 m wide. The trams have 74 seats and a total capacity for 232.