Tramways in Portugal in Colour 1985-2018

Portugal’s first-generation electric tramways reached their peak in the 1950s with five systems. They had been introduced over a 20-year period, starting with Porto in 1895, followed by Lisboa in 1901, Sintra in 1904, Coimbra in 1911 and Braga in 1914. Both Braga and Coimbra closed their tramways in 1963 and 1980 respectively. The Sintra tramway led a chequered life with cutbacks at both ends of its single route as well as changes of ownership and periods when it did not operate at all. Recent investment has ensured that its future is more secure. When the author first encountered Portugal’s remaining tramways in 1985 they were looking tired. Since then, he has witnessed their renaissance and the introduction of two totally new systems. In 1960 Portugal had five active tramways; by 1985 there were only three. Today, following the introduction of the Metro do Porto and the Metro Transportes do Sul, the tally has returned to five and the future looks bright for all of them.