Additional investment of 66.3 million euros in Coimbra Metrobus: Vehicle fleet will be increased to 40

The Portuguese government has approved **new financing framework of up to 66.3 million euros** for the completion and long-term operation of the Sistema de Mobilidade do Mondego in the Coimbra region.

The decision does not only cover the purchase of new vehicles.

Source; It covers the completion of the infrastructure, expansion of the electric vehicle fleet, charging system and **15-year maintenance expenses** of the vehicles.

## The number of vehicles will increase from 35 to 40

With the new regulation, the number of electric vehicles planned in the Metro Mondego system is:

**35 to 40**

will be removed.

Thus, it is aimed to add five additional vehicles to the fleet.

This increase is important in terms of trip frequency and spare vehicle capacity, especially when the system starts operating at full capacity.

## 66.3 million euros is not just the price of five buses

It is important to read the number correctly.

It would be wrong to interpret the budget of 66.3 million euros as the purchase price of five new vehicles.

Financing according to the Conselho de Ministros decision:

completion of infrastructure,

Reaching a fleet of 40 vehicles,

charging system of vehicles

and covers 15 years of maintenance service.

Therefore, the figure is a broader financing package that also includes long-term operational expenses.

## Why is Metrobus not a train?

Although the name of Sistema de Mobilidade do Mondego is sometimes used as “Metro Mondego”, the system is not a classic rail metro.

Electric buses in dedicated corridors it works.

This model aims to provide high-capacity public transportation between Coimbra and surrounding municipalities by using a significant part of the old railway corridors.

## What will change for the Coimbra region?

The new financing decision aims to increase the capacity of the system, as well as to complete the incomplete infrastructure and secure long-term maintenance costs.

However, the Conselho de Ministros decision does not mean that all new vehicles enter service immediately.

Vehicle deliveries and infrastructure works will have their own implementation schedules.

Therefore, it is correct to say that **66.3 million euro investment has been approved**; It is not correct to say “40 vehicles started service today”.

### Resources

Governo de Portugal — Conselho de Ministros, 24 September 2026

https://portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc25/governo/comunicados-do-conselho-de-ministros/comunicado-do-conselho-de-ministros-de-24-de-setembro-de-2026