An individual was arrested by the Public Security Police (PSP) on Thursday morning following disturbances near the buses at Agualva-Cacém station in Sintra, amid a strike by CP – Comboios de Portugal workers that disrupted train services.
Efforts to confirm this information with PSP revealed no significant incidents, with further clarifications expected post-9 a.m.
A commuter interviewed by SIC Notícias recounted the incident, noting the unrest arose as passengers awaited already “out-of-service” and “full” buses.
“The gentleman was complaining to the police, arguing that it was not right because we needed to go to work and what we needed was buses,” she explained. “The police started with batons, threw him to the ground (…) and he was arrested, taken in the van,” she added.
“The man didn’t even react (…) Afterwards, the police warned people that if we didn’t remain civil, we would all end up in the van with him,” she alleged.
The PSP, notably, has been monitoring passenger entry alongside the buses.
The second day of the CP workers’ strike saw a 100% turnout at 7:30 a.m., halting all train services, according to a union source. “Like the first day of the strike, participation is 100%. There has been no progress. Neither the government nor CP has conceded, so the strike continues,” said Júlio Marques from the Association of Intermediate Rail Operations Chiefs (ASCEF), representing the 14 unions behind the strike.
Train service disruptions are expected to persist until May 14.
The Arbitration Court of the Economic and Social Council did not mandate minimum services for this strike, a decision contested by the company at the Lisbon Court of Appeal, considering the impact on access to work, health, and education.
