At around 10:40 AM, Paulo Raimundo arrived at the Bombarral railway station, welcomed by Manuel Rodrigues, a former station manager, who expressed concern over the state of the national railway, particularly on the Oeste Line.
“In 1983, I traveled from São Martinho do Porto to Lisbon, Rossio, in one hour and 55 minutes. Today, in the 21st century, the same journey takes two and a half hours,” Manuel Rodrigues criticized.
The focus is on the modernization and electrification works on the Oeste Line, connecting Sintra to Figueira da Foz. Initially slated for completion in 2023, the works are ongoing, causing daily disruptions for the line’s users.
“The other day, for an up-close view, I boarded at Rossio [in Lisbon] at 08:02. I changed trains in Sintra, where I had to wait over half an hour for a connection. I changed trains again in Caldas and arrived at Marinha Grande at 12:05,” illustrated Luís Caixeiro, a frequent user and member of the PCP.
This morning, Paulo Raimundo experienced delays firsthand, though relatively minor: a train scheduled to depart at 10:49 left approximately ten minutes late.
Speaking to journalists, the PCP’s secretary-general was confident that in these local elections, the CDU would not “fear missing the train,” but instead demonstrate a plan and a vision for a future high-speed train that “addresses community needs.”
“Those with a future vision, like ours, aren’t operating steam engines; we’re in high-speed rail. That’s who we are: high speed,” he asserted.
Specifically concerning the Oeste Line, the CDU advocates for complete electrification—the modernization currently applies only to the segment between Sintra and Caldas da Rainha, with no planned improvements from Caldas to Figueira da Foz—and its connection to the new high-speed line with a station expected in Leiria.
Though acknowledging that municipalities aren’t responsible for this issue, the PCP leader argued it’s “relevant” if councils “play a mobilizing, advocating role with the central government.”
“Municipal bodies don’t have that responsibility, but they can’t think issues will be resolved behind closed doors. No, they must rally the communities, and we believe from experience and heritage that this is feasible with CDU presence in local governments,” he said.
Raimundo highlighted that “it is no coincidence” that Setúbal or Grândola, both CDU-administered councils, are “major popular mobilizers” for implementing river transport between Setúbal and Troia.
“Therefore, the local authority is in no position—neither in Caldas nor Bombarral—to solve this problem. But it is in a position to demand more, to engage the communities,” he asserted.
Joining Paulo Raimundo on the train was Duarte Raposo, the CDU candidate for the Caldas da Rainha City Council, where the PCP/PEV coalition hasn’t won council seats since 1982.
Concluding the journey, before a group of CDU supporters, Duarte Raposo claimed the coalition’s efforts keep the Oeste Line operational and undergoing works. He urged residents to ensure the coalition increases “votes and elected officials” in the upcoming local elections.
