The CP fleet and service punctuality

There have been several reports in the media recently questioning the quality of the service provided by CP - Comboios de Portugal, especially since 2019. It is alleged that there has been a decrease in the number of trains running and an increase in delays. It is essential to clarify this situation with concrete facts and figures, demonstrating that the reality is considerably different from the recently publicised perceptions.

Contrary to the information that has been circulating, CP has in fact increased the number of trains in circulation. In 2019, CP's active fleet consisted of 375 units, including 240 railcars, 26 locomotives and 109 carriages. This number has been growing consistently over the years. In 2020, there was an increase to 392 units. In 2021, this number rose to 412 units, and in 2022, there was an increase of 18 units, totalling 430. By the end of the third quarter of 2023, CP's active fleet had 244 railcars, 44 locomotives and 154 coaches, 67 more units than in 2019, representing an increase of 18 %. This growth, the result of the hard work of CP employees, clearly refutes the notion that there has been a reduction in the number of trains in circulation.

The strength of this growth is even more evident when we analyse the number of passengers carried. In 2019, CP carried 144.8 million passengers. In 2022, the highest number of passengers in the last 20 years was reached, surpassing the 2019 figure by around 3.2 million. It is expected that, despite the strikes and other constraints, 2023 will have a few million more passengers. These milestones were only possible due to the increase and efficient management of the fleet.

It's true that in recent years there have been some changes in punctuality and regularity rates. However, it's important to emphasise that most of these issues are due to causes external to the operation of the trains. In 2023, for example, 90.4% of the cancellations were due to strikes, while the rest were the result of accidents, passenger incidents and bad weather. Only 2.5% were related to rolling stock breakdowns. The vast majority of delays are the result of modernisation work on the railways, carried out by the infrastructure manager, which, although having a temporary impact, is essential for the continuous improvement of the rail network.

This is not to apologise, but to clarify the current situation. We recognise that there are still challenges to overcome and we aspire to an even more efficient service. However, it is essential to recognise the dedication and daily effort of every CP worker, who guarantees the operation of around 1,350 trains every day. Every single worker plays a crucial role, contributing with great commitment and dedication with the aim of offering an ever better service to our customers.

CP - Comboios de Portugal is committed to continuing to work hard to improve all aspects of its service, keeping the public informed and enlightened about the reality of operations and the ongoing efforts to continuously improve them.