The expansion is due to take place during European Mobility Week, which runs from 16 to 22 September. The pass will also be extended to the Fertagus line.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing confirmed the details on Friday, 21 August, with ECO reporting that the change could cut transport costs significantly for passengers who travel exclusively by train.

Public transport

The Passe Ferroviário Verde costs €20 for 30 days and already covers regional and interregional trains, as well as second-class travel on Intercidades services, where reservations are required.

Until now, however, its use on urban trains in Lisbon and Porto has been restricted in areas covered by the Navegante and Andante transport passes. The September expansion will remove this limitation.

For passengers who only need trains, this means they may no longer need to pay for the more expensive intermodal passes that also include other forms of public transport.

The Government gave the example of someone living in Famalicão and working close to São Bento station in Porto. At present, the passenger could need both a €40 Andante pass and the €20 Passe Ferroviário Verde, costing €60 a month.

Following the change, the same journey could be covered by the €20 rail pass alone, representing a potential saving of €480 a year.

Passenger travelling

In the Lisbon area, a passenger travelling between Monte Abraão in Sintra and Entrecampos currently has the option of a €40 Navegante pass or a CP pass costing €32.35.

Using the Passe Ferroviário Verde instead could reduce the cost to €20 per month, with potential annual savings of €240.

The Ministry estimates that expanding the scheme will have an annual financial impact of around €1.5 million in compensation paid to CP and Fertagus.

The pass will continue to exclude Alfa Pendular services and first-class travel on Intercidades trains.