The river connections between Belém, Porto Brandão and Trafaria were restored late this Tuesday afternoon. TTSL did not apologize for the inconvenience caused.
A week laterThe connection between the two banks of the Tagus was re-established at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2between Belém, Porto Brandão and Trafaria. The information was provided by TTSL, which operates the public river transport, via its website.
On July 27, TTSL interrupted the river connection between Belém, Porto Brandão and Trafaria in an unprecedented way, claiming that "technical reasons"This may have been related to a lack of available rolling stock. This connection is ensured by two ferries, o Lisbon e Almadenseand one of them - the Lisbon - has been leaning "for two years now", according to the Union of Trade Unions of Setúbal (CGTP-IN). The same union source also reported that "the repair that should be done at Almadense has not yet been agreed by the Administration" from TTSL.
"Passenger and vehicle transportation will resume at 4pm (Trafaria), and regular service will be restored on this river link"TTSL reported, in an update published just half an hour earlier on its website. The river carrier did not apologize for the inconvenience caused, nor did it provide any additional context about the suspension that occurred.
O ferry between Belém, Porto Brandão and Trafaria is the only river connection that allows the transportation of vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, as well as a significant number of bicyclesIn high season, this ferry is also an excellent alternative for reaching the beaches of the Costa da Caparica from Lisbon, since on the Almada side - particularly Trafaria - there are direct connections to the beaches, both by Carris Metropolitana and by bicycle.
But the interruption of the ferry also had an impact on the people of Porto Brandão and Trafaria, who were left more isolated for a week. The Caparica and Trafaria Parish Council published a statement on Monday demanding "immediate replacement" of the river connection and requesting a "increasing the number of connections, not only during the week but also at weekends, including extending the timetable of the last routes of the day". The Board also expressed its "deepest dissatisfaction and indignation at the suspension of river transport services"adding that "the citizens of Caparica and Trafaria deserve dignity in their right to quality public transport".
Although ferry Belém-Trafaria has been reinstated, TTSL continues with problems and suppressions on other river connectionsincluding between Cais do Sodré and Cacilhas.
