In response to Lusa, the Lisbon Metro says that the installation of new elevators at the Campo Pequeno, Intendente, Martim Moniz, Picoas and Praça de Espanha stations, “currently underway”, should be completed by the end of the year.

The Alto dos Moinhos, Anjos, Avenida, Zoológico and Laranjeiras stations will have elevators in the next two years.

At the same time, the Lisbon Metro will, between 2026 and 2029, replace the elevators at another 21 stations: Alfornelos, Alvalade, Amadora East, Ameixoeira, Bela Vista, Cabo Ruivo, Carnide, Lumiar, Odivelas, Olaias, Oriente, Pontinha, Quinta das Conchas, Rato, Restauradores, Roma, Rossio, Santa Apolónia, Senhor Roubado, Telheiras and Terreiro do Paço.

Despite recurring complaints from associations and the number of complaints received – in 2024, there were 525 complaints about escalators and 420 about elevators –, the Metro indicates that elevators recorded “an average availability rate of 85%” last year.

Regarding elevator maintenance times, Metro explains that it has been “recurrently faced with difficulties on the part of assistance service providers”, both in terms of human resources and spare parts.

In view of this, the company is investing in “new contracting solutions and assistance and maintenance models, investing in more advanced technologies”.

In August, the company had already announced a new technical assistance/maintenance model, namely for elevators, stairs and moving walkways, in high-traffic stations. In the 56 stations of the Lisbon Metro network, there are 121 elevators, 234 escalators and 10 moving walkways.

According to information provided by the company's Institutional Communications Department, these devices “operate with an intensity of use of around 18 hours a day, every day of the year”, belonging to “different technological generations, different commercial brands” and being “at different stages of their life cycle”.

Regarding stairs and mechanical conveyor belts, the Metro cites the intervention work underway at Entre Campos station and the tender launched to replace equipment at Terreiro do Paço station.

In 2026, plans include interventions on the stairs and mechanical walkways at Alameda, Chelas, Olaias, Olivais and Parque stations.

Overall, the ongoing modernization plan foresees that, “by 2026, 93% of the network's stations will have full accessibility”, concludes the public company, stressing that it will continue to invest in modernizing and improving accessibility conditions, with an investment of over 22.5 million euros since 2018.