Alstom to Build 81 New Trains for CP in Portugal

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Alstom will manufacture 81 new suburban trains for Portugal’s national rail operator Comboios de Portugal at a new factory in Guifões, Matosinhos, marking a major step in the country’s rail renewal and industrial strategy.

New Factory Near Porto Anchors Multibillion-Euro Rail Push

The 81 trains will be produced at a purpose-built Alstom manufacturing plant in Guifões, in the municipality of Matosinhos, just north of Porto. Publicly available information indicates that the facility, covering more than 20,000 square metres, is now under construction as part of a broader contract between Alstom and Comboios de Portugal for 153 new trainsets serving urban and regional lines.

The Guifões plant is scheduled to be completed by 2028, with the first trains built in Portugal expected to enter service from 2029. Reports indicate that the remaining 72 trains in the 153-unit order will be manufactured at Alstom’s established sites in Spain, creating a cross-Iberian production chain tailored to Portugal’s network.

The new factory is described in official communications as a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing domestic industrial capacity in rail, a sector that has become central to Portugal’s wider mobility and decarbonisation plans. By hosting final assembly in Guifões, Portugal secures a share of high-value manufacturing activity that traditionally has taken place elsewhere in Europe.

Contract Covers Suburban Services in Lisbon and Porto

According to contract details made public by the companies and national authorities, the 81 trains built in Portugal will be dedicated primarily to suburban lines around Lisbon and Porto, including the coastal Cascais corridor and dense commuter routes into both metropolitan hubs. These services carry some of the country’s highest passenger volumes and have long been earmarked for modernisation.

The full 153-train package, valued at just over 1 billion euros, is designed to renew ageing rolling stock and expand capacity on both urban and regional routes. Alstom’s multiple-unit design for CP includes wide doors, flat floors and step-free entry to speed boarding and improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, in line with current European standards.

The new trains are also expected to offer on-board digital connectivity such as Wi-Fi and dedicated spaces for bicycles and wheelchairs, reflecting a shift toward more flexible, commuter-friendly interiors. Publicly available technical information highlights energy-efficient traction systems and regenerative braking, which are intended to cut operating costs while lowering emissions on Portugal’s increasingly electrified network.

Local Jobs and Supply Chain Benefits for Northern Portugal

The Guifões plant is projected to create close to 300 direct jobs, alongside several hundred additional positions in the wider supply chain. Government communications describe the project as a pillar of a broader reindustrialisation effort, with local civil engineering and industrial partners already engaged in construction and equipment installation.

Rail-focused suppliers in northern Portugal are expected to benefit from new opportunities in metalworking, components, maintenance tools and digital systems. Reports from regional outlets highlight that companies in and around Porto and Braga are already involved in building the facility and preparing for serial production, embedding the train project within the local manufacturing ecosystem.

By coupling rolling-stock production with long-term maintenance and overhaul activities, the Guifões site is positioned to operate well beyond the initial delivery window. Publicly available information suggests that the plant could later adapt to refurbishment work, exports or follow-on orders, supporting more stable employment and skills development in advanced rail engineering.

Part of a Broader Overhaul of Portugal’s Rail Network

The decision to manufacture 81 trains in Portugal forms part of a wider national push to expand and modernise rail, including high-speed corridors, signalling upgrades and station improvements. Government briefings describe rail investment as both “strategic and structural” for the country, linking the initiative to climate goals, regional cohesion and reduced dependence on private cars.

On heavily used suburban lines, the new trains are expected to allow more frequent services and higher reliability, particularly in the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas where congestion and ageing fleets have strained operations. The additional capacity is aimed at making daily commuting more predictable and attractive, an important factor for residents, students and tourists navigating Portugal’s main urban centres.

For international visitors, the programme signals a gradual shift toward more modern, integrated and sustainable public transport across the country. As new trains enter service from 2029, travellers can expect quieter, more comfortable and more accessible rolling stock on key suburban routes that connect airports, city centres and outlying coastal districts.

Positioning Portugal as a Regional Rail Manufacturing Hub

Alstom has been present in Portugal for more than three decades, primarily through signalling, maintenance and earlier rolling-stock projects. The decision to locate a full manufacturing facility in Guifões elevates that role, positioning Portugal as a regional base for advanced train assembly within the company’s European network.

Industry observers note that similar investments in other countries have often been followed by additional contracts and technology partnerships, as local teams build up expertise and capacity. In Portugal’s case, the Guifões factory could strengthen the country’s profile in sustainable transport technologies and attract further rail-related projects, including potential export work over the longer term.

For rail passengers, the most visible outcome will be the introduction of new trains on some of the busiest lines in Lisbon and Porto. For the country’s industrial base, however, the 81 trains to be built in Matosinhos represent a broader shift toward higher-value manufacturing and a more central role in Europe’s evolving rail landscape.