Lisbon Metro

Lisbon Metro
Info
Locale	Lisbon
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	4
Number of stations	46 (6 on two lines)
Operation
Began operation	1959
Technical
Track gauge	1435 mm

The Lisbon Metro (Portuguese: Metropolitano de Lisboa) is the metro (subway) system of Lisbon, Portugal. Opened in December 1959, it was the first subway system in Portugal.

As of 2011, the four Lisbon subway lines total about 39 kilometres (24 mi) in length and comprise 52 stations.

History

Lisbon Metro System

Idea

Since 1888 the thought of building a system of underground railways was present in the city of Lisbon. The idea was proposed by Henrique de Lima e Cunha, a military engineer who had published a proposal in the journal Public Works and Mines for a network with several lines that could serve the Portuguese capital. Concrete plans took longer to form: Lanoel Aussenac d'Abel and Abel Coelho presented theirs in 1923, and José Manteca Roger / Juan Luque Argenti theirs one year later, in 1924. None of these plans were carried out.

After World War II, in which Portugal remained neutral, the take-off of the national economy and financial possibilities provided by the Marshall Plan gave a strong boost to the construction of the metro. A society was formed January 26, 1948, which aimed to study the technical and economic feasibility of an underground public transportation system in Lisbon.

The beginning

Lisbon Metro System in 1959, when it was inaugurated.

Construction began on August 7, 1955, and four years later, on December 29, 1959, the Lisbon Metro was inaugurated. The network was formed by a Y-shaped line linking the Restauradores to the Rotunda (now Marquês de Pombal), branching then to Entre Campos and to Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico).

The new system was well accepted by the public, and in the first year the Metro carried more than 15.3 million passengers. The metro has proved an important factor in urban development of the city, outlining new areas of housing and services. In 1963 it opened the section from Restauradores to Rossio. This first phase of construction was completed with the section Rossio - Anjos in 1966, and finally, in 1972, the section between the Anjos and Alvalade.

After this first extension, no further subway stations opened until 1988. In 1974, the revolution of April 25 modified the management of Metropolitano de Lisboa. In 1975 the company was nationalized and in 1978 it was renamed Metropolitano de Lisboa, EP. The new management began a project enlarging the platforms, enabling them to receive four carriages rather than the two they had originally been designed for.

The 1980s

Train of the Lisbon Metro in Telheiras station (Green Line).

The 1980s were marked by several extension programmes. First at the Alvalade Calvani, in 1980, then to Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico) at the Colégio Militar / Luz in 1982, Calvana to Campo Grande in 1983, and in 1984 the extension of Entre Campos to the Campo Grande station (then called Northern Cross). A plan to build a station at Calvani, near the Júlio de Matos hospital, had been abandoned by that time.

Thus, by the end of the decade (or more precisely on 14 October 1988) the inauguration of the extension that would link Sete Rios (now Zoo) at the Colégio Militar / Luz took place, with three lines: Laranjeiras, with artistic interventions de Sá Nogueira, of Alto dos Moinhos, signed by Júlio Pomar, and Colégio Militar / Luz, which acted Manuel Cargaleiro. Also that day opened for the Cidade Universitária station (University City), with artistic interventions written by Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, and inserted in the extension that would link Entre Campos to Campo Grande. These new 4 stations were the first to be built from scratch with a quay of 105 meters in length, which enabled the reception of the 6 train carriages, according to a philosophy that also led interventions to the loading bay of the station.

The 1990s

Baixa-Chiado station (Blue and Green Lines).

Bela Vista station (Red Line).

Picoas station (Yellow Line).

Roma station (Green Line).

In the Network Expansion Plan (PER), providing the extensions Rossio - Cais do Sodré and Restauradores - Baixa-Chiado, the disconnection of the Y extension of the Rotunda and the Rato, and yet extending to the suburbs and building on that site III of the PMO.

In 1991, was presented the first prototype of ML90 series, consisting of two triple units (motor-trailer-motor) of six carriages, with the first one was numbered M-201, R-202 and M-203.

The April 3, 1993 behold, Campo Grande station opens to the public, along with sections Alvalade - Campo Grande and CIdade Universitária - Campo Grande, with this extension of the metro network grew 3.1 miles (5.0 km). That same month, would come into operation the two units triple ML90, with digital indicator target and generally more comfortable, it is noted that these four motor coaches were the only ones to have a front door to the driver's cab, which was removed already in the second series of ML90. These new trains were built by Sorefame / Bombardier, may move with or without the trailer.

That was the year 1993 was presented the Network Expansion Plan II, intended to serve the future World Expo 1998, until 1999, the subway would move the following lines:

• Line A (blue): Pontinha - Terreiro do Paço;
• Line B (yellow): Lumiar - Rato;
• Line C (green): Telheiras - Cais do Sodré;
• Line D (red): Alameda - Moscavide and Campolide - Estrela, connection with Rato station.

The PMO II would be submitted in late 1994, after eleven years in the earthmoving and construction, at the end of this year, was eventually commissioned the second batch of 17 units consisting of ML90 triple (or 51 carriages). On July 15, 1995, the dream of the disconnection of the Rotunda became a reality, the subway in operation now had two lines: Line A (blue), between the Colégio Militar / Luz and Campo Grande, through the Rossio, and Line B (yellow), between Campo Grande and the Rotunda. The old station Rotunda (Rotunda now I) was extended from 75 to 105 meters and totally refurbished, the new station (Rotunda II) already had a dock with 105 yards.

By the end of 1996, was completed and delivery of ML90, the second batch numbered M-207 M-257; colors and materials used in this second batch differed somewhat from that made up the first. The park of rolling stock was now composed of 191 coaches, 80 of them ML7, ML90 54 ML79 and 57. On 18 October 1997, the section would be opened Colégio Militar / Luz - Pontinha, allowing the network to expand by 1.6 kilometers, in December the same year it opened the season Mouse, 600 meters from the Rotunda II. However, continued in 1997, orders for a lot of new rolling stock, now known as ML95, these new coaches have a look similar to ML90 abroad, albeit with some technical differences like a different engine and electrical control for opening and closing Gates, who replaced the tire on its predecessors. The new logo of the Lisbon Metro was first inserted into the carriages of the new series, this year, was handed over half - 19 units triplets or 57 carriages - from the future lot of rolling stock.

1998 was a year when many of the projects were completed Metropolitano de Lisboa, as early as March the names of four stations have changed:

• Sete Rios → Jardim Zoológico
• Palhavã → Praça de Espanha
• Rotunda I and II → Marquês de Pombal I and II
• Socorro → Martim Moniz

In April the section Rossio - Cais do Sodré was opened, with two stations: Baixa-Chiado and Cais do Sodré, the latter connecting to the interface of the CP rail and river, growing net 1.4 kilometers.

The Red Line (Line D at the time) would be inaugurated on May 19, 1998, three days before the opening of Expo 98, the section had a length of 5 kilometers and included seven new stations: Alameda II Olaias, Bela Vista, Chelas, Plantation, Cao Auburn and East. It was this line that circulated first six carriages of trains in June of that year, in order to provide an offer that behaved demand of the metro to Expo '98, has completed delivery of ML95 at this time. The new series was numbered M-301 M-414, being composed, similar to the previous configuration by motor-trailer-motor, in late 1998, the park of rolling stock of Metropolitano de Lisboa was composed of 305 cars - 80 ML7, ML79 54, 57 and 114 ML90 ML95. In late 1998 the network comprised 40 stations, having been open to the public in July Cabo Ruivo, Baixa-Chiado Plantation in August and November.

In 1999 it opened the PMO III, Pontinha; this event was presented the prototype of the future lot of rolling stock, now known as ML97, which would consist of 18 units triplets (54 cars) articulated. This new series made possible the free movement between each unit, which is the big difference with the previous, in addition, the prototype had a more modern image, and also entered the digital automatic passenger information. According to data of Metropolitano de Lisboa, these triple trailer units can be removed, although this has never been witnessed in issue during the year 1999 was handed the new batch of rolling stock, numbered M-501 M-554. The park was the Metropolitano de Lisboa, at the turn of the millennium, with 361 cars spread across 80 ML7, ML79 54, 57 and 114 ML90 ML95 ML97 and 54, the largest number that hit today.

2000s

Terreiro do Paço station atrium (Blue Line).

Terreiro do Paço station (Blue Line).

Santa Apolónia station (Blue Line).

2002 Green Line is expanded to the north side up to Telheiras. Two years later, in 2004, the network spans the geographical limits of the city, first in March, was added to the yellow line a stretch of five new stations that stemmed from Campo Grande and went on to Odivelas. In May of that year the Blue Line was extended from Pontinha to station Amadora Este.

On December 19, 2007, after 11 years of construction, the extension was opened between Baixa-Chiado and Santa Apolónia, with some controversy and many successive delays due to the difficulty of construction. In 2000, when three years would be expected in its completion, there were cracks in the tunnel that led to land subsidence. The consequent flooding of the tunnel and slowed down the completion of work and forced to temporarily cut road traffic in the Commerce Square and part of the Avenida Infante D. Henrique. A new tunnel was made at the place within the first. The works of Seasons Palace Square is Santa Apolónia were completed in the summer of 2007.

On August 29, 2009 is inaugurated the section of the Red Line between Alameda and, being first crosses all lines.

Map data comments

• Opened in December 1959 Original Network in 'Y' Shape; Stations: Sete Rios (Seven Rivers), Palhavã, São Sebastião, Parque (Edward VII Park), Rotunda (Roundabout of Marquês de Pombal), Avenida (da Liberdade, Liberty Avenue), Restauradores (Restorers), Picoas, Saldanha (Saldanha Square), Campo Pequeno (Campo Pequeno Bullfight plaza) and Entre Campos;
• January 1963 New station: Rossio
• September 1966 New stations: Socorro, Intendente and Anjos
• June 1972 New stations: Arroios, Alameda (D. Afonso Henriques Boulevard), Areeiro (Areeiro Plaza), Roma (Rome Avenue) and Alvalade (Alvalade Square)
• October 1988 New stations: Laranjeiras (orange trees), Alto dos Moinhos (of Upper Mills), Colégio Militar (the Military College) and Cidade Universitária (University City)
• April 1993 New stations: Campo Grande
• July 1995 Disconnection of the Rotunda thus beginning a network by splitting the single 'Y' line in two separate lines (Blue and Yellow), public display of a new modernization plan that involves the creation of several independent interconnected lines and a new corporate identity.
• October 1997 New stations in the Blue Line: Carnide and Pontinha
• December 1997 New station in the Yellow Line: Rato
• March 1998 Disconnecting the section Restauradores - Rossio; Creation of the Green Line (Socorro, Intentente, Anjos, Arroios, Alameda, Areeiro, Roma, Alvalade and Campo Grande - common to the Yellow Line), renaming of several stations : Rotunda to Marquês de Pombal, Sete Rios to Jardim Zoológico (Zoo), Palhavã to Praça de Espanha (Plaza of Spain) and Socorro to Martim Moniz;
• April 1998 New stations in the Green Line: Baixa / Chiado (Pombaline Downtown an Chiado neighbourwood) and Cais do Sodré
• May 1998 Opening of the Red Line, with 5 new stations: Alameda II, Olaias, Bela Vista, Chelas and Oriente
• July 1998 New station in the Red line: Cabo Ruivo
• August 1998 New station in the Blue Line: Baixa / Chiado II
• November 1998 New station in the Red Line: Olivais
• November 2002 New station in the Green Line: Telheiras
• March 2004 New stations in the Yellow line, extending it to the outskirts of Lisbon: Quinta das Conchas (Farm of the Shells), Lumiar, Ameixoeira (Kaffir), Senhor Roubado and Odivelas
• May 2004 New stations in the Blue Line : Alfornelos and Amadora Este (East Amadora)
• December 2007: New stations in the Blue Line terreiro do Paço (Palace Square) and Santa Apolonia
• August 2009 New stations in the Red Line: Saldanha II and São. Sebastião II, first time that all 4 lines are truly interconnected, strengthening the network,
• 2010: Work on Red Line extension from Oriente to Aeroporto and Blue Line extension from Amadora Este to Reboleira is underway. Also, several stations on the Green Line are being lengthened to accommodate 6 car trains, enabling standardisation of rolling stock.[1]
• The future: Planning is underway for a Yellow Line extension from Rato to Estrela (and eventually Alcântara), and the Red Line from São Sebastão to Campolide (and eventually Campo Ourique/Amoreiras)[2]

Lines

Lisbon Underground in 2020, after all the expansions done.

There are 4 lines and 46 stations. The lines were formerly known by picturesque names; logos based on the former names are still used.

Colour	Name	Terminals	Stations	Length	History
Linha Azul Blue Line	Linha da Gaivota Seagull Line	Santa Apolónia Amadora Este	17	14 km (8.7 mi)	1959: Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico) - Restauradores 1988: Sete Rios - Colégio Militar (now Colégio Militar-Luz) 1997: Colégio Militar-Luz - Pontinha 1998: Baixa-Chiado (Blue and Green Lines split) 2004: Pontinha - Amadora Este 2007: Baixa-Chiado - Santa Apolónia
Linha Amarela Yellow Line	Linha do Girassol Sunflower Line	Rato Odivelas	13	11 km (6.8 mi)	1959: Entre Campos - Restauradores 1988: Entre Campos - Cidade Universitária 1993: Cidade Universitária - Campo Grande 1997: Rotunda (now Marquês de Pombal) - Rato 2004: Campo Grande - Odivelas
Linha Verde Green Line	Linha da Caravela Caravel Line	Cais do Sodré Telheiras	13	9 km (5.6 mi)	1972: Restauradores - Alvalade 1993: Alvalade - Campo Grande 1998: Baixa-Chiado - Cais do Sodré (Blue and Green lines split) 2002: Campo Grande - Telheiras
Linha Vermelha Red Line	Linha do Oriente Orient Line	São Sebastião Oriente	9	8.2 km (5.1 mi)	1998: Alameda - Oriente 2009: Alameda (II) - São Sebastião (II)

Art in the Subway

Sculptures in the Campo Pequeno station (Yellow Line).

The architecture and decor of an underground station is a key element for the well being of passengers, and art works much like a call to travel on them. The Metropolitano de Lisboa is one of the underground systems in the world where art is best represented. The concern to reduce the stations to a visual transition between surface and underground levels started from beginning. Architect Francisco Keil do Amaral designed a station type model used as a template for all built stations till 1972. There the decor was very moderate, the lines smooth but firm, much like the Portuguese political regime at the time. The original eleven stations of the Fifties, excepting Avenida, had coatings produced by painter Maria Keil, his wife.

In 1988 the expansion of Lisbon underground was resumed, and routes opened between Sete Rios and Colégio Militar / Luz stations, and from Entre Campos to Cidade Universitária; those works kept in mind the need to organize and decorate all new stations, adopting for them singular themed interventions by contemporary Portuguese artists: Rolando de Sá Nogueira in Laranjeiras, Júlio Pomar in Alto dos Moinhos, Manuel Cargaleiro at Colégio Militar / Luz, and Vieira da Silva on the station of Cidade Universitária, have contributed to the nowadays glamorous cultural and artistic patrimony of Metropolitano de Lisboa.

Thereafter, art has become a constant in all the Lisbon tube, light playing in the brightness of the azulejo works present at its walls almost everywhere. In recent years the oldest stations have been refurbished, not only to enhance the decor and aesthetics, but also to improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. It is generally considered the Parque station as remaining the most valuable and interesting of them all, where the tiles reflect and work on Fernando Pessoa universal literary heritage.

See also

• Porto Metro
• List of Lisbon metro stations
• List of rapid transit systems

External links

• The official Lisbon Metro site
• Lisbon Metro at GoogleMaps
• OTLIS - The Consortium of Transport Operators in Lisbon Region
• Flickr's Metro Lisboa Group
• Lisbon subway news archive