The CIL stated that Carris maintenance services should be carried out by the company’s workers “and not through outsourcing, which only seeks profit”.
The commission cited the Lisbon Metro as an example: “look at the disgrace of so many inoperative escalators, some for years”.
“It is essential to conduct a rigorous and transparent investigation of all responsibilities,” the CIL advocated, including “the technical aspects related to maintenance, inspection, and operation of the equipment”.
Additionally, the commission demanded an analysis of “the decisions and policies adopted by Carris management and the Lisbon City Council”.
The CIL pointed to “the allocation of four million euros in the mobility budget line (disinvestment in Carris) in the 24th amendment of the Budget for 2024 and the allocation of financing in the same amount to the Web Summit”.
It is necessary to clarify “if the municipal strategic and budgetary options ensure a safe and dignified public service to Lisbon’s public transportation workers and users,” the commission asserted.
The CIL insisted that “this tragedy should serve as a warning for the urgent correction of the failures that may be identified”.
The Elevador da Glória in Lisbon derailed on Wednesday, resulting in 16 deaths and dozens of injuries.
The CIL expressed “the deepest sorrow for the tragic death” of the Carris brake operator in the accident, “as well as for the situation of the other victims and injured”.
The government declared a national day of mourning, observed on Thursday.
The Elevador da Glória is operated by Carris, connecting Restauradores to Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara in Bairro Alto over a route of approximately 265 meters, and is highly sought after by tourists.
The maintenance and supervision history of the elevator will be thoroughly examined by the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF), which will receive external assistance in the investigation.
On Thursday, GPIAAF coordinator Nelson Oliveira stated that “everything relevant to the investigation” will be analyzed.
Both the initial design of the elevator, its subsequent electrification, and “successive improvements and renovations” will be reviewed, but especially the maintenance and supervision history, Oliveira said.
“There is a lot of history, not only of the operation but primarily regarding what maintenance regime it is subject to, the supervision regime, oversight by external entities,” he noted.
This analysis also includes “the training of the people performing the interventions, the contracts existing for service provision with external providers to Carris”.
