The air conditioning systems on CP trains are not compatible with temperatures around 40 ºC. Problems that had already occurred during the heat wave of 2018 have recurred again.
In the summer of 2018, an excessive heat wave revealed that the air-conditioning systems on CP trains, particularly long-distance trains, cannot cope with high temperatures and do not work properly when thermometers are around 40°C. Four years later, the country is once again experiencing a similar heat wave and CP issued a statement on Friday night warning of constraints on rail traffic in the coming days.
"We recommend that, whenever possible, you make your journeys early in the morning or late in the day", indicated the national rail operator, as, "due to the heat wave forecast for the coming days, the comfort conditions on board some trains may not be the most suitable, especially during the hours with the highest temperatures". CP provides the full and free refund of tickets already purchased for the Alfa Pendular, Intercidades, International, InterRegional and Regional services, which can be done via the website, app or physical ticket offices up to 30 minutes before the journey; or via an online form up to 10 days after the date of travel made.
In addition to the issue of air conditioning, the high heat that has been experienced in recent days and is expected to continue in the coming days is imposing a high level of heat on the environment. temporary speed restrictions at some locations on the national rail network to prevent problems on the line, such as excessive track expansion.
On Thursday and Friday, there were some constraints on CP's long-distance traffic due to high temperatures, as Eco newspaper reports: for example, an Alfa Pendular between Lisbon and Braga was left without air conditioning and, at Entroncamento station, passengers were forced to wait an hour and a half for two - slower - regional trains to continue on to their destination.. Eco recalls that "the current nine units of the Alfa Pendular fleet were renewed less than five years ago, in a total investment of EUR 18 million - the tenth composition has been immobilized for almost two years, after the Soure accident".
The heatwave of summer 2018 had led CP to cancel ticket sales for some Alfa Pendular and Intercidades timetables, after several problems with on-board conditions on these trains. CP has never clarified why air conditioning systems fail in high temperatures - it doesn't happen on other modes of transport, such as long-distance buses.
