The Mondego MetroBus (MMS) project will convert an old railway line into a route for electric buses connecting the city of Coimbra in Portugal with the municipalities of Lousã and Miranda do Corvo, and the village of Serpins. The introduction of environmentally friendly public transport will help reduce congestion, and carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric buses in Coimbra, Portugal to provide clean, efficient public transport
- 27 November 2020
The aim is to combine the capacity and speed of a light rail system with the flexibility, lower cost and simplicity of a bus rapid transit system.
The 41.9 km route will ensure a seamless connection between Lousã and Miranda do Corvo, the historic centre of Coimbra, Coimbra University’s maternity and paediatrics hospitals, the Coimbra Portuguese Oncology Institute and the University of Coimbra, Pole III.
Congested roads
After the railway line was closed in 2009, residents in Lousã and Miranda do Corvo had to rely heavily on their cars to get around. This mode of transport represents up to 70 % of their mobility options.
At present, a bus service links Serpins and Portagem in the centre of Coimbra, a distance of 43 km with 20 stops. However, congestion on roads and the lack of standardised ticketing system make the buses unreliable and unappealing to use.
Infrastructure development
The project will be divided into three sections: between the Alto de São João district in the south of Coimbra and the village of Serpins (about 25 km); between the Coimbra B train station and Alto de São João (about 7 km); and the line connecting the hospitals in the northern part of the city.
Converting the railway into road infrastructure for buses will include installing road signs and traffic lights, lighting and a power supply. Seven roundabouts will be built near the terminal stations to allow buses to turn. Double lanes and platforms, vehicle crossings – including a multi-level one – bridges and tunnels will be constructed, along with 24 stops. Seventeen existing stops will be adapted.
Telematics and telecommunications systems will be installed, along with a central control room. Vehicles and a battery charging system will also be provided.
Reducing pollution
MMS will ensure a multimodal public transport system with a single tariff and ticketing system. It is estimated that 13 million people per year will use the new buses, resulting in a significant reduction in car use, congestion and pollution.
It is projected that, in 2024, the first year of the project’s operation, MMS will save 2 572 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in energy and reduce CO2 emissions by 18 907 tonnes.
The introduction of sustainable urban mobility should contribute to the area’s attractiveness for both residents and tourists, while boosting socio-economic development.
Lastly, an efficient transport link between Coimbra and areas to the south-east will encourage social and economic integration between the city centre and the periphery.
The MMS project is part of the Programme for Sustainability and Efficient Use of Resources (POSEUR), specifically its objectives of achieving sustainable growth and a low-carbon economy.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Mondego Mobility System (MMS) - Deployment of a MetroBus System” is EUR 215 329 774, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 60 000 000 through the “Sustainability and Resource Use Efficiency” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Supporting the transition to a low carbon economy in all sectors”.