For as long as it has existed in Portugal, the railway has been one of the most powerful means of civilisation and a well-established mode of transport, ensuring territorial cohesion and bringing people and places closer together.
Initially, its innovative and revolutionary nature meant radical changes, with the emergence of new professions and the establishment of rigorous organisational and operational systems that set it apart and elevated it to a privileged position.
Offering a regular and reliable service, the train proved its worth as a mode of transport capable of moving increased numbers of passengers and goods, travelling long distances quickly and safely.
Stations and the infrastructure in general, particularly bridges and other works of art, marked towns and landscapes, becoming a form of cultural heritage viewed fondly by populations and local communities. From the 19th century, modernism, specifically in the context of the controversy surrounding the ‘Generation of the ‘70s,’ regarded the train as a means of spreading new ideas arriving from Europe, contributing to changing mindsets.
The railway’s importance was consolidated during the 20th century, with the appearance of new technologies associated with significantly increased speeds and operational safety, which once again revolutionised the system.
In order to face up to the challenges of sustainability, territorial cohesion, safety and mobility in the 21st century, the railway must play a structural role in the development of the transport system in Portugal, becoming its backbone, meeting the expectations and needs of society in general.
As it has done in the past, the railway will play a vital role in the coming years in the technological revolution associated with digitisation, smart cities and transport, growing automation, and modal and commercial integration.
As an environmentally sustainable mode of transport, and given the urgency of reversing the consequences of the consumerist model in which we live, the railway is called upon to make the greatest contribution to ensuring the future of the transport of passengers and goods in Europe.
By encouraging train travel, whether for the daily commute, business trips or tourism, the transport of merchandise, linking the coast and the interior, or to promote knowledge of Portugal and strengthen its European identity, rail transport has become a key element in changing the paradigm of the transport system, responding to the digital challenge and promoting the European Green Deal, with a view to being carbon neutral by 2050.
