State launches study to sub-concede the Cascais and Sintra/Azambuja railway lines

The State has begun the study and preparation of a public-private partnership to sub-concede, in two phases, the public suburban passenger rail transport service of the Cascais Line and the Sintra/Azambuja Line. The decision is formalized by Order no. 11811/2026, signed on September 11, 2026, and published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 188, of September 28, 2026, in the Finance section, through the Treasury and Finance Entity. The decree establishes the project team that will be responsible for structuring the launch of the partnership.

The process stems from a proposal by CP — Comboios de Portugal, E. P. E., submitted via Official Letter no. 837719, dated August 10, 2026, to the Secretary of State for Mobility, under paragraph 1 of article 9 of Decree-Law no. 111/2012, of May 23, which regulates the design, launch, and execution of public-private partnerships. The proposal indicated the object of the partnership, the objectives to be achieved, the economic justification, and the financial viability, within the scope of the public service contract concluded between the Portuguese State and CP.

The processing involved three linked orders:

• Order no. 61/2026/SEM, of August 10, 2026, from the Secretary of State for Mobility, agreeing with the CP proposal and indicating three full members and two alternates;
• Order no. 753/2026-SETF, of August 27, 2026, from the Secretary of State for the Treasury and Finance, which directed UTAP to establish the project team;
• Order no. 11811/2026, which implements this establishment under the powers sub-delegated by Order no. 10649/2025, of September 4.

Two phases: Cascais first, Sintra/Azambuja later

The project team’s mandate is divided into two stages. In the first phase, the sub-concession to be structured will cover only the public suburban passenger rail transport service of the Cascais Line. Only afterwards, in light of the experience gained, will the second phase begin, which consists of the study and preparation of the sub-concession of the Sintra/Azambuja Line.

This second phase is subject to confirmation, as established in Order no. 753/2026-SETF. The team must develop the actions and work necessary for the launch of the partnership, specifically those provided for in article 12 of Decree-Law no. 111/2012, of May 23.

Seven full members and four alternates

The project team includes the following members:

• Full members: Hong Cheng Leong, nominated by UTAP, serving as president; Leão Mendes, Nuno Cavaco and José Azevedo, nominated by the Secretary of State for Mobility; and Marta Almeida, Francisco Ramos and João Carrilho, nominated by UTAP;
• Alternates: Carla Santana and Paulo Miguel, nominated by the Secretary of State for Mobility; and Duarte Viegas and Francisco Semedo, nominated by UTAP.

Participation in the project team does not entitle any remuneration. UTAP will ensure the necessary conditions for the development of the work at its facilities, at Rua Braamcamp, no. 90, 6th floor, 1250-052 Lisbon, without prejudice to the use of legally admissible telematics means. Technical and logistical support will be provided by CP — Comboios de Portugal, E. P. E. and by other public entities or bodies.

The order was signed by the Sub-Director General of the Treasury and Finance Entity and Director of UTAP, Rita Domingues dos Santos da Cunha Leal, and takes effect from the date of its signature.

Impact for passengers and for CP

The Cascais and Sintra/Azambuja lines are the two main suburban axes of Lisbon, serving hundreds of thousands of daily passengers, therefore the future sub-concession will determine who operates the service and under what conditions. The public-private partnership model now under study opens the door to the entry of private operators into a service currently provided by CP, whose future role in the Lisbon suburban network will depend on the design resulting from this first phase of work.

Source: Diário da República, 2nd series, no. 188, of September 28, 2026, Finance section (official reference: Order no. 11811/2026).