Lisbon City Council approves compensation for Santa Apolónia metro closure

The Lisbon City Council has approved a mobility plan and a compensation package related to the temporary closure of the Santa Apolónia metro station. The closure is necessary to facilitate the completion of the Lisbon General Drainage Plan (PGDL), specifically to stabilize ground for the final section of a drainage tunnel reaching the Tagus River.

To compensate Metropolitano de Lisboa for the 465-day service interruption, the City Council intends to pay approximately 2.82 million euros, which equates to roughly 6,600 euros per day. This proposal now moves to the Municipal Assembly for validation. Some officials have raised concerns regarding the lack of independent verification of these compensation values.

Regarding passenger mobility, the Blue Line will operate only as far as Terreiro do Paço during the works. Instead of a dedicated shuttle service between Terreiro do Paço and Santa Apolónia, the city will implement a network of complementary alternatives. This includes increased surface transport capacity from Carris, with direct links to Cais do Sodré and Restauradores, and continued rail services via CP through stations such as Oriente and Braço de Prata.