In response to the Lusa news agency, Metro Mondego stated that it would not be possible to include the construction of a dedicated lane to the Pediatric Hospital in time for the full opening of the hospital line, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

In May, Leonel Serra, the head of the company responsible for the “metrobus” operation, stated there was a desire to proceed with a dedicated lane between the Coimbra University Hospitals (HUC) and the Pediatric Hospital—an element not covered by the current contract.

At the time, he believed it would be possible to build approximately 1.5 kilometres of dedicated lane in time for the completion of the hospital line, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027.

Today, Metro Mondego announced that it will move forward with the studies and construction of that lane, “subject to Government authorisation.”

In May, Leonel Serra had expressed the view that the lack of a dedicated lane between the two hospitals increased the likelihood of operational delays.

When asked about exercising the option to purchase five additional electric buses, a possibility included in the public tender, Metro Mondego confirmed today that it still intends to do so. However, the move is “pending the definition of funding sources.”

Under an amendment to the bus supply contract, Metro Mondego has until the end of September to exercise the option to purchase the five additional buses.

If the option is exercised, the delivery timeframe for the vehicles is 12 months, for 710,000 euros per bus (as established in the contractual process).

Metro Mondego has been operating the urban section between Alto de São João and Portagem since September 2025, and the suburban line serving Miranda do Corvo and Lousã since December of that same year. Recently, the president of Metro Mondego indicated that commercial operations extending to Coimbra-B and Praça da República (the hospital line) should begin between late August and early September.

However, the remainder of the hospital line, running from Praça da República to the Coimbra University Hospitals and the Pediatric Hospital, is not expected to be completed until the first quarter of 2027.