In its new Strategic Plan, the public company states that it is prepared to operate this new service, intending to integrate it with the current Alfa Pendular, Intercidades and Regional network to create economies of scale.

However, the carrier issues a critical warning to the Government: opening up rail operations to private companies, particularly in urban services, is seen as a strategic disadvantage that could compromise the cohesion of the national rail system and its capacity for interconnection between different services.

Financial flexibility

To achieve this ambition, CP emphasises that it needs greater financial flexibility, including exiting the State's budget perimeter to guarantee the debt necessary to purchase new trains.

The company notes that the €746 million investment in 117 new trains is a historic step, but full visibility will only be achieved in 2033.

Furthermore, the plan's effectiveness critically depends on Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) meeting the deadlines for the network modernisation works, without which high-speed rail cannot move beyond the planning stage.

One of the biggest internal challenges identified is the ageing workforce and the lack of diversity. Compared to eight European counterparts, CP presents worrying results: more than 75% of its employees are over 40 years old, and only 12.5% ​​are women.

This discrepancy, coupled with reliability indicators below the European average, reinforces the call for an urgent rejuvenation of the workforce, where currently only 24% of employees are under 40 years old.

Maintaining public service

The operator defends maintaining the public service contract until 2034, arguing that the single-company model is the best way to guarantee a quality service throughout the national territory.

Therefore, CP's main objectives for the next six years are to lead the High-Speed ​​Rail operation and modernise the fleet, ensuring that the new long-distance service enhances the regional network.

For this to happen, the company will have to face the challenge of rejuvenating its workforce through generations and maintain its stance against the sub-concession of urban services to private companies.

Finally, the success of this strategy remains intrinsically linked to the rigorous execution of railway infrastructure within the established deadlines, ensuring that Portugal definitively enters the era of modern rail.