The Portuguese government has authorised Metro do Porto to launch the procurement process for the next operating contract of its light rail network. The contract is set to run for eight years starting in April 2027.

According to railwaygazette.com, the new contract has an estimated value of up to €690 million. This amount is to be almost fully funded by Metro do Porto’s own income, with €17.5 million coming from national taxes.

The budget is 59% higher than the current contract, reflecting the network expansion planned during the next period.

Porto’s light rail services were operated by Transdev from December 2002 to March 2010, and have been operated by Barraqueiro since April 2010.

Line G, linking Casa da Música to São Bento, is expected to open by the end of March 2027. The 6.4 km Line H, connecting Casa da Música with Santo Ovídio on Line D, is to follow by the end of 2028, including a new bridge over the River Douro.

Metro do Porto expects to open the 6.8 km Gondomar Line in 2031, linking Estádio do Dragão with Souto in the southeast and adding nine stops. In the same year, Line C will be extended from the ISMAI terminus to Muro, serving one intermediate stop. From Muro, a bus rapid transit route would run north to Trofa.

Metro do Porto services carried a record 94.5 million passengers in 2025.

The tender process marks a significant step in the expansion of Porto’s light rail network, with several new lines and extensions planned over the coming years.