Maia II: light rail preferred over metrobus

The studies have been completed. The second line for the municipality of Maia - Maia II - running between Roberto Frias, in Porto, and Verdes station, in Maia, could be delivered either as a bus service on a dedicated route (metrobus) or as light rail. Although the latter would cost more, it is the preferred choice of Maia Council, which has pointed to difficulties in integrating the road corridor into the Asprela hub and the Circunvalação.

Maia II: metrobus or light rail

The Maia II line would serve densely populated areas including Pedrouços, Águas Santas and Gueifães. At an extraordinary meeting of Maia Council, the Executive was presented with the two options designed for this route. Metro do Porto chairman Emídio Gomes stressed that both alternatives must be assessed beyond their financial aspect, particularly for their territorial impact and functionality. He highlighted the “integration difficulties” of the metrobus in “critical areas” such as Rua Roberto Frias, the Circunvalação and the area surrounding Hospital de São João in Porto.

“The technical presentation showed substantial differences between the two alternatives. If the metrobus solution is adopted, the route will increase from 13.01 to 14.30 kilometres and the number of stops will rise from 16 to 18.

Interchange with three lines

The only advantage would be the lower investment cost,” states the council, led by Silva Tiago. Nevertheless, Emídio Gomes emphasised that either solution would bring a “positive break” for the municipality of Maia, directly affecting urban, housing and economic reorganisation.

The future line would connect with the Yellow Line - which links Hospital de São João in Porto with Vila d'Este in Gaia - at S. João, as well as with the Violet Line, which heads to Pedras Rubras Airport, and the Red Line, connecting Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, in the area around Verdes station.

Maia Council favours light rail

Maia Council president António Silva Tiago favours the metro option. “My preferred solution is clearly light rail, the LRT,” said the Social Democrat, adding that the comparative studies prepared by Metro do Porto must be evaluated before a political decision is made.