“What we are doing goes beyond the territorial thinking – whether it is Loures or Lisbon – but looks at the people and does what we had to do,” stated the mayor of the capital, Carlos Moedas (PSD), indicating that the extension of bus route 731 aims to ensure better public transportation conditions for the population.
The “inaugural journey” also featured the presence of the Mayor of Loures, Ricardo Leão (PS), who arrived at the bus stop at Praça José Queirós in Lisbon about five minutes before Carlos Moedas, for both to experience the 731 route to Sacavém.
“We are not here to inaugurate anything; we are checking that it is working,” noted the Mayor of Lisbon upon arrival at the location.
Information on the Carris website indicates, “from June 24 (Tuesday), route 731 will be extended to Sacavém.”
Before boarding the bus, the Lisbon leader was approached by residents of municipal houses near the stop who complained about issues with their homes, contacting the municipal company Gebalis for solutions.
Despite the scheduled meeting at the bus stop, the entourage did not board any vehicle from route 731, allowing at least one to pass by first and eventually traveled in a new and 100% electric vehicle, which already accommodated Carris members and picked up passengers at stops en route to Sacavém.
At the end of the journey, in statements to journalists, Carlos Moedas emphasized that the extension of the Carris route to Sacavém, maintaining its terminal at Avenida José Malhoa, “is a great change for people’s quality of life” because it avoids the need to bring cars into Lisbon and adds convenience.
The new route for bus 731 will enable “a reduction in transfers and greater comfort for the population,” providing a direct connection to high-demand areas such as Rotunda do Relógio, Campo Grande – Avenida Brasil, Cidade Universitária, and Sete Rios, passing through Lisbon’s hospitals, namely Santa Maria.
“This type of investment and metropolitan thinking must be applied to Carris, obviously also to Carris Metropolitana, which is very important, but Carris plays a central role here,” stated the Lisbon leader, highlighting work by the municipal company also on electric 16, planned for 2028, which will connect Terreiro do Paço to Parque Tejo, and then link with the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), under the responsibility of Loures Council.
Carlos Moedas further highlighted the “good cooperation” with the Loures leader: “It is a pride, but it is above all an example we set, an example that as mayors, we are above parties.”
Socialist Ricardo Leão also praised the ability to work together with the Mayor of Lisbon and stated the extended route of route 731 will serve “thousands of people” living in the Sacavém area who previously had to walk to Portela to catch the bus or drive into Lisbon.
“We have been asking for this for years, even during the previous administration of Lisbon Council [under socialist Fernando Medina]. We asked and it was my party, and we couldn’t do it; now we have achieved it, so this clearly shows what it means to serve the people,” declared the Loures leader.
When questioned about issues with Carris operations, Carlos Moedas responded that “complaints of 14 years cannot be resolved in three years” in reference to the previous PS management and highlighted ongoing investments of 165 million euros, including the acquisition of “more than 400 buses” and transitioning fossil fuel vehicles to electric ones.
“It’s necessary to invest and then achieve results, but no one ever invested as we have in this term,” he remarked.
