The Porto Metro Pink Line, linking São Bento to Casa da Música, is expected to begin carrying passengers by March 2027, according to Metro do Porto president Emídio Gomes. Although construction is scheduled to finish later this year, the line will not open immediately due to safety certification and regulatory procedures.
Emídio Gomes explained that extensive testing and mandatory safety approvals are required before the line can enter commercial service. As a result, even with works completed in 2026, public operations will only start toward the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Speaking after a working meeting with Porto City Council held at City Hall, the Metro president described the situation as positive, despite the extended timeline. The Pink Line was originally planned to open in 2024 but has since faced multiple postponements.
“We are working with the assumption that the public will be able to use the line by March 2027, meaning the project will have taken six years to complete,” Gomes said.
He acknowledged that several challenges contributed to the delays, particularly serious and unexpected construction difficulties on the section between the Boavista roundabout (Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque) and Praça da Galiza. While the base cost of the project stands at just over €300 million, additional works have pushed the final estimated investment to around €420 million.
The Pink Line will run entirely underground between São Bento and Casa da Música and will include stations at Hospital Santo António and Galiza. A connecting branch to the main line, which has also experienced delays, is now expected to be completed during the first quarter of this year.
During the meeting, Socialist Party councillor Manuel Pizarro highlighted the renewed cooperation between the city and Metro do Porto, describing the dialogue as open and transparent. He also revealed that the metro company has committed to launching a tender as soon as possible for an elevator linking the future Galiza station to the Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte.
Chega councillor Miguel Corte-Real, who requested the meeting to discuss the metrobus project, said he trusts the deadlines presented by Metro management. While expressing some reservations, he welcomed the fact that firm commitments were made.
Mayor Pedro Duarte also commented on the improved relationship between the city’s new executive and the current Metro administration but stressed that close oversight will continue. “The city can no longer accept delays,” he said. Earlier this month, Emídio Gomes committed to clearing all surface-level construction obstacles related to the Pink Line extension toward São João by 24 June.
