The Portuguese government has rejected amending the operating plan for the future Circle Line of the Lisbon Metro that would have preserved through-running services from the northern suburbs into the city centre.
The scheme, launched in 2017, envisages joining the inner sections of the existing Green Line and Yellow Line by means of a 1.9-kilometre link between Rato and Cais do Sodré. The works will create a circular route and improve interchange with other metro lines, tram routes and bus services.
The scheme has drawn criticism because it will leave the northern section of the Yellow Line isolated. The proposal to extend the services from the Odivelas branch into the centre was dropped on 1 August after it was estimated that it would have added €10 million to the project’s cost.
As a result, the Odivelas branch will be joined to the north-western section of the Green Line as far as Telheiras, forming a self-contained route that will retain the Yellow Line designation. Interchange with the Circle Line will take place at Campo Grande, a major interchange hub in the metropolitan area.
Having racked up several delays and cost overruns of close to €380 million, opening is scheduled for early 2027.