Lisbon Metro
| Lisbon Metro | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background | |
| Locale | Lisbon |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 4 |
| Number of stations | 46 (6 on two lines) |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1959 |
| Technical | |
| System length | 39 km (24 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1435 mm |
The Lisbon Metro (Portuguese: Metropolitano de Lisboa) is the metro (subway) system of Lisbon, Portugal. Opened in December 1959, it was the first subway system in Portugal.
As of 2011, the four Lisbon subway lines total about 39 kilometres (24 mi) in length and comprise 52 stations.
Contents |
[edit] History
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[edit] Idea
Since 1888 the thought of building a system of underground railways was present in the city of Lisbon. The idea was proposed by Henrique de Lima e Cunha, a military engineer who had published a proposal in the journal Public Works and Mines for a network with several lines that could serve the Portuguese capital. Concrete plans took longer to form: Lanoel Aussenac d'Abel and Abel Coelho presented theirs in 1923, and José Manteca Roger / Juan Luque Argenti theirs one year later, in 1924. None of these plans were carried out.
After World War II, in which Portugal remained neutral, the take-off of the national economy and financial possibilities provided by the Marshall Plan gave a strong boost to the construction of the metro. A society was formed January 26, 1948, which aimed to study the technical and economic feasibility of an underground public transportation system in Lisbon.
[edit] The beginning
Construction began on August 7, 1955, and four years later, on December 29, 1959, the Lisbon Metro was inaugurated. The network was formed by a Y-shaped line linking Restauradores to Rotunda (now Marquês de Pombal), branching then to Entre Campos and to Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico).
The new system was well accepted by the public, and in the first year the Metro carried more than 15.3 million passengers. The metro has proved an important factor in urban development of the city, outlining new areas of housing and services. In 1963 it was expanded from Restauradores to Rossio, then further to Anjos (in 1966) and finally to Alvalade (in 1972).
After this first extension, no further stations were opened until 1988. In 1974, after the Carnation Revolution, the management model was changed, being nationalized in 1975 and renamed Metropolitano de Lisboa, EP in 1978. Under the new management, works were carried to enlarge platforms, originally designed to receive two cars, so that these could receive four cars.
[edit] The 1980s
The 1980s were marked by several extension programmes. First from Alvalade to Calvanas, in 1980, then from Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico) to Colégio Militar/Luz in 1982, and Calvanas to Campo Grande in 1983.
In 1984, works began to extend Entre Campos to Campo Grande (then called Northern Cross), when plans to build a station at Calvanas, near the Júlio de Matos hospital, had already been abandoned.
By the end of the decade, on 14 October 1988, the extension connecting Sete Rios to Colégio Militar/Luz was inaugurated, opening three stations: Laranjeiras, with artwork by Sá Nogueira, Alto dos Moinhos (artwork by Júlio Pomar), and Colégio Militar/Luz (Manuel Cargaleiro). Cidade Universitária (Maria Helena Vieira da Silva) opened in the same day, as part of the extension from Entre Campos to Campo Grande. These four stations were the first to be built from scratch with a platform long enough to receive six cars (105 metres) and with artwork in the platforms themselves.
[edit] The 1990s
In 1990, the Network Expansion Plan was presented, which included extensions from Rossio to Cais do Sodré and from Restauradores to Baixa-Chiado, splitting the Y in Rotunda (extending the branch from Picoas to a new station, Rato) and the extension Colégio Militar/Luz–Pontinha (including a new depot in Pontinha, PMO III).
In 1991, the first prototype of the ML90 car series was presented, consisting of two triple units (motor-trailer-motor) of six cars (with the first unit being numbered M-201, R-202 and M-203), built by Sorefame/Bombardier. These cars had a digital destination sign, were generally more comfortable and could operate with or without the trailer. The motor cars in these two triple units were also the only ones to have a front door to the cab, which was not included in further batches.
On April 3, 1993, the Campo Grande station opens, along with the expansions Alvalade–Campo Grande and CIdade Universitária–Campo Grande. With this extensions, the network grew 3.1 miles (5.0 km). In the same month, the ML90 prototype cars were used for the first time.
In 1993, the second Network Expansion Plan was presented, intended to serve Expo'98. Until 1999, Metro should operate in the following lines:
- Line A (blue): Pontinha – Terreiro do Paço;
- Line B (yellow): Lumiar – Campolide;
- Line C (green): Telheiras – Cais do Sodré;
- Line D (red): Alameda – Moscavide.
The PMO II depot was finished in late 1994, after eleven years of works. At the end of this year, the second batch of ML90 was ordered, consisting of 17 triple units (or 51 cars). On July 15, 1995, lines were finally split at Rotunda, with Metro now operating in two lines: Line A (blue), between Colégio Militar/Luz and Campo Grande, through Rossio, and Line B (yellow), between Campo Grande and Rotunda. The old Rotunda station (now Rotunda I) was extended from 75 to 105 metres and totally refurbished, while the new station (Rotunda II) already had a dock with 105 metres.
By the end of 1996, the second batch of ML 90 (numbered M-207 to M-257) was ready; colors and materials used in this second batch differed somewhat from that made up the first. The rolling stock was now composed of 191 coaches: 80 of them ML7, 54 ML90 and 57 ML79. On 18 October 1997, the Seagull line expansion from Colégio Militar / Luz to Pontinha opened, expanding the network by 1.6 kilometres. In December the same year, Rato opened, 600 metres from Rotunda II. Orders for new rolling stock continued in 1997, when half of the cars now known as ML95 were delivered (19 electric triple units, motor-trail-motor, or 57 cars). These new coaches, which look similar to ML90, have some technical differences, like a different engine and electrical door control (unlike the pneumatic control used on its predecessors). The new logo of the Lisbon Metro was first inserted into these new coaches.
1998 was a year when many of the projects were completed Metropolitano de Lisboa, as early as March the names of four stations have changed:
- Sete Rios → Jardim Zoológico
- Palhavã → Praça de Espanha
- Rotunda I and II → Marquês de Pombal I and II
- Socorro → Martim Moniz
In April the section Rossio - Cais do Sodré (1.4 kilometres) was opened, with two stations: Baixa-Chiado and Cais do Sodré, the latter connecting to the train and boat stations.
The Red Line (Line D at the time) would be inaugurated on May 19, 1998, three days before the opening of Expo 98. This line had a length of 5 kilometres and included five new stations: Alameda II, Olaias, Bela Vista, Chelas, and Oriente, and was, in June of that year, the first line to be served with six car trains, in order to satisfy the demand of metro to Expo '98. By this time, the entire ML95 series had been delivered, numbered M-301 M-414.
Later in 1998, Olivais (in August) and Cabo Ruivo (in July) opened in the Red Line, between Chelas and Oriente. The rolling stock was then composed of 305 cars - 80 ML7, 54 ML79, 57 ML90 and 114 ML95, and the network comprised 40 stations.
In 1999, the PMO III opened in Pontinha, in a event where the prototype of the future car series was presented, series now known as ML97, which would consist of 18 articulated triple units (54 cars). The main difference from the previous series was the possibility of free movement between each car. In addition, the prototype had a more modern image, and also entered the digital automatic passenger information. According to the operator, the trailer of these triple units can be removed, although this has never been witnessed. The first cars were issued during 1999, numbered M-501 to M-554. The rolling stock, at the turn of the millennium, was made of 361 cars spread across the series (80 ML7, 54 ML79, 57 ML90, 114 ML95, 54 ML97) the largest number that hit today.
[edit] 2000s
In 2002, the Green Line was expanded from Campo Grande to Telheiras. Two years later, in 2004, the network spanned the geographical limits of the city: first, in March, with the expansion of the Yellow Line from Campo Grande to Odivelas (which included five new stations); then, in May, the Blue Line was extended from Pontinha to Amadora Este.
On December 19, 2007, after 11 years of construction, the extension was opened between Baixa-Chiado and Santa Apolónia, with some controversy and many successive delays due to the difficulty of construction. In 2000, when three years would be expected in its completion, there were cracks in the tunnel that led to land subsidence. The consequent flooding of the tunnel and slowed down the completion of work and forced to temporarily cut road traffic in the Commerce Square and part of the Avenida Infante D. Henrique. A new tunnel was made at the place within the first. The works of the stations themselves (Terreiro do Paço and Santa Apolónia) were completed in the summer of 2007.
On August 29, 2009 the Red Line section between Alameda II and São Sebastião II is inaugurated, making it so that every line crosses every other line.
[edit] Map data comments
- Opened in December 1959 Original Network in 'Y' Shape; Stations: Sete Rios (Seven Rivers), Palhavã, São Sebastião, Parque (Edward VII Park), Rotunda (Roundabout of Marquês de Pombal), Avenida (da Liberdade, Liberty Avenue), Restauradores (Restorers), Picoas, Saldanha (Saldanha Square), Campo Pequeno (Campo Pequeno Bullfight plaza) and Entre Campos;
- January 1963 New station: Rossio
- September 1966 New stations: Socorro, Intendente and Anjos
- June 1972 New stations: Arroios, Alameda (D. Afonso Henriques Boulevard), Areeiro (Areeiro Plaza), Roma (Rome Avenue) and Alvalade (Alvalade Square)
- October 1988 New stations: Laranjeiras (orange trees), Alto dos Moinhos (of Upper Mills), Colégio Militar (the Military College) and Cidade Universitária (University City)
- April 1993 New stations: Campo Grande
- July 1995 Disconnection of the Rotunda thus beginning a network by splitting the single 'Y' line in two separate lines (Blue and Yellow), public display of a new modernization plan that involves the creation of several independent interconnected lines and a new corporate identity.
- October 1997 New stations in the Blue Line: Carnide and Pontinha
- December 1997 New station in the Yellow Line: Rato
- March 1998 Disconnecting the section Restauradores - Rossio; Creation of the Green Line (Socorro, Intentente, Anjos, Arroios, Alameda, Areeiro, Roma, Alvalade and Campo Grande - common to the Yellow Line), renaming of several stations : Rotunda to Marquês de Pombal, Sete Rios to Jardim Zoológico (Zoo), Palhavã to Praça de Espanha (Plaza of Spain) and Socorro to Martim Moniz;
- April 1998 New stations in the Green Line: Baixa / Chiado (Pombaline Downtown an Chiado neighbourwood) and Cais do Sodré
- May 1998 Opening of the Red Line, with 5 new stations: Alameda II, Olaias, Bela Vista, Chelas and Oriente
- July 1998 New station in the Red line: Cabo Ruivo
- August 1998 New station in the Blue Line: Baixa / Chiado II
- November 1998 New station in the Red Line: Olivais
- November 2002 New station in the Green Line: Telheiras
- March 2004 New stations in the Yellow line, extending it to the outskirts of Lisbon: Quinta das Conchas (Farm of the Shells), Lumiar, Ameixoeira (Kaffir), Senhor Roubado and Odivelas
- May 2004 New stations in the Blue Line : Alfornelos and Amadora Este (East Amadora)
- December 2007: New stations in the Blue Line terreiro do Paço (Palace Square) and Santa Apolonia
- August 2009 New stations in the Red Line: Saldanha II and São. Sebastião II, first time that all 4 lines are truly interconnected, strengthening the network,
- 2010: Work on Red Line extension from Oriente to Aeroporto and Blue Line extension from Amadora Este to Reboleira is underway. Also, several stations on the Green Line are being lengthened to accommodate 6 car trains, enabling standardisation of rolling stock.[1]
- The future: Planning is underway for a Yellow Line extension from Rato to Estrela (and eventually Alcântara), and the Red Line from São Sebastão to Campolide (and eventually Campo Ourique/Amoreiras)[2]
[edit] Lines
There are 4 lines and 46 stations. The lines were formerly known by picturesque names; logos based on the former names are still used.
| Colour | Name | Terminals | Stations | Length | History |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linha Azul Blue Line |
 Linha da Gaivota Seagull Line |
Santa Apolónia Amadora Este |
17 | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
1959: Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico) - Restauradores |
| Linha Amarela Yellow Line |
 Linha do Girassol Sunflower Line |
Rato Odivelas |
13 | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
1959: Entre Campos - Restauradores |
| Linha Verde Green Line |
 Linha da Caravela Caravel Line |
Cais do Sodré Telheiras |
13 | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
1972: Restauradores - Alvalade |
| Linha Vermelha Red Line |
 Linha do Oriente Orient Line |
São Sebastião Oriente |
9 | 8.2 km (5.1 mi) |
1998: Alameda - Oriente |
[edit] Art in the Subway
The architecture and decor of an underground station is a key element for the well being of passengers, and art works as an appeal to travel. Metropolitano de Lisboa is one of the underground systems in the world where art is best represented. From the beginning, there was a concern to make a smooth visual transition between surface and underground. Architect Francisco Keil do Amaral designed a station model, which was used as a template for all stations built till 1972. In this model, the decor was very moderate, with smooth but firm lines, much like the Portuguese political regime at the time. The original eleven stations, except Avenida, had artwork by painter Maria Keil.
In 1988, with the new expansions, there was still a concern about organizing and decorating stations, thus these stations featured works by contemporary Portuguese artists: Rolando de Sá Nogueira in Laranjeiras, Júlio Pomar in Alto dos Moinhos, Manuel Cargaleiro in Colégio Militar/Luz, and Vieira da Silva in Cidade Universitária.
Since then, art has become a constant in Lisbon Metro, lighting plays with the brightness of the azulejo, present in almost every station. In recent years, the oldest stations have been refurbished, not only to enhance the decor and aesthetics, but also to improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility. It is generally considered the Parque station as remaining the most valuable and interesting of them all, where the tiles reflect and work on Fernando Pessoa universal literary heritage.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lisbon Metro |
- The official Lisbon Metro site
- Lisbon Metro at GoogleMaps
- OTLIS - The Consortium of Transport Operators in Lisbon Region
- Flickr's Metro Lisboa Group
- Lisbon subway news archive
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