Punctuality rate of trains in Portugal dropped to 70 percent: IP does not expect improvement in the near term

Punctuality rate of trains in Portugal dropped to 70 percent: IP does not expect improvement in the near term

Delays on Portuguese railways have increased significantly. According to Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) data for the first half of 2026, the total punctuality rate in train services across the country decreased to 70 percent. This rate was 77 percent in the same period of 2025 and 82 percent in the first half of 2024.

What is more striking is the short-term expectation of the public company. IP reports that although it has an 85 percent punctuality target for 2026, it does not expect a significant improvement compared to the current 70 percent level in the coming periods.

The situation is more negative in medium and long distance trains

According to IP's assessment, the delay problem is especially evident in medium and long-distance railway services. It is stated that Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, Inter-regionais and Regionais services perform more negatively than the general average.

However, the company did not disclose separate punctuality rates for each of these services.

The punctuality indicator is calculated based on the delays experienced by trains in reaching their destination and covers the entire railway network in operation.

Why are trains delayed?

IP attributes the deterioration in performance to ongoing modernization works and speed restrictions on the rail network.

Modernization at Linha do Douro in the first half of 2026 works, severe weather conditions and storm Kristin in the first months of the year, repair works in Linha da Beira Baixa and Linha do Oeste, and strikes in June were among the factors affecting railway traffic.

It is estimated that adverse weather conditions alone caused a loss of over 650 thousand train-kilometers and an impact of approximately 1.7 million euros on railway revenues.

Total traffic on the railway network decreased by 3 percent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, decreasing to approximately 17 million train-kilometers. The decrease in passenger transportation was 2 percent and in freight transportation was 9 percent.

What measures is IP planning?

The company plans to prioritize the removal of speed restrictions, especially those affecting medium and long-distance trains, and to strengthen coordination between ongoing works.

However, the assessment in IP's own report limits expectations for a rapid recovery for passengers: the company does not foresee improvement compared to current performance in the near term, despite the annual target of 85 percent.

For this reason, it is important for passengers traveling by Alfa Pendular, Intercidades and regional trains to take into account the possibility of delays, especially in connecting trips.

Resources

Infraestruturas de Portugal data / Lusa, 18 September 2026

https://observador.pt/2026/09/18/pontualidade-ferroviaria-cai-para-70-infraestruturas-de-portugal-nao-preve-melhorias-nos-proximos-periodos/

Jornal Económico, 18 September 2026

https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/pontualidade-ferroviaria-cai-para-70-e-ip-nao-preve-melhorias-nos-proximos-periodos/