The background
The Douro line is a railway line connecting Porto to Barca d’Alva. The construction of the line took place between 1873 and 1887 and was a work of great importance to the region, being an alternative to the River Douro route.
Régua is known around the world for port winemaking. Wine bottle stocks and their transportation made the train an historical choice of transport since it allowed regular transportation of people but also agricultural products, namely wine.
Caíde del Rei is a Portuguese district of the county of Lousada. According to local legend, Caíde takes its name from the fact that a king fell from his horse when visiting the region (as in the Portuguese verb cair, which means to fall). We cannot say whether this myth is true or false but, for sure, the same king could now take the train and maybe taste some portos once arrived to Régua, while staying away from his horse.
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The challenge
The existing railway line section Caide – Marco de Canaveses – Regua needed some rehabilitation and upgrading in order to remain competitive. The project was technically complex since the train section Regua - Caíde required the installation of the European Rail Management System (ERTMS) in order to ensure the interoperability of trains.
The ERTMS improves safety and enhances the cross-border operability of trains in the European Union. If a train from Linha da Douro wants to expand its route and continue towards any country in the European Union, its ERTMS system will make it more effective.
Furthermore, a robust economic analysis was needed to support the efficient use of EU funds in the co-financing of the project.
The action
JASPERS assisted Infraestruturas de Portugal in the project preparation of a railway section that connects the cities of Caíde and Régua. This 57 km section is part of the Douro line, in the north of Portugal.
JASPERS provided technical assistance in the economic and financial analyses. More specifically, our technical assistance included methodological advice and a review of the cost-benefit analysis of the investments.
JASPERS’ review reinforced the support of EU funds to the project, which increased from 65% to 81% of the project’s eligible cost, i.e. a total grant funding request of EUR 49.2 million.
The results
Around 500 000 passengers directly benefit from the project and it is foreseen that by 2031 some 1 million more passengers will take the route because of the electrification of the rail lines.
Besides, commuters have improved safety. The shift from road to rail decreases the levels of congestion and the risks of fatalities. On top of that, the new signalling and telecommunication systems of trains and the modernisation of level crossings and tunnels make the train line safer.
Thirdly, rail users travel faster since they can now travel from Porto to Régua directly, without changing trains.
Fourthly, travellers are greener. Good train services along the new 57 km of the Douro line reduce air pollution and noise, improving the environmental conditions. The use of electric instead of diesel trains saves train operational costs and reduces air emissions.
Finally yet importantly, access to trains is available to everybody. People with reduced mobility now have guaranteed access on the Caíde–Régua railway section.