Portugal's Guimarães-Braga BRT Phase I Invests €80 Million, Completion by 2030

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Portuguese government has announced the construction of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system between Guimarães and Braga. The first phase will connect Guimarães with Caldas das Taipas, with an investment of €80 million and expected completion by 2030. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated after a Council of Ministers meeting in Guimarães that the project, funded and implemented by the central government, aims to promote sustainable mobility and increase speed. The second phase, extending to Braga, is still under discussion, with potential future expansion to Barcelos and Vila Nova de Famalicão. Montenegro emphasized that the project is crucial for connecting the high-speed rail line under construction between Lisbon, Porto, and Vigo (with a station in Braga), aiming to achieve effective integration of urban, regional, national, and international transport.

The planned BRT line will feature dedicated lanes, connecting Guimarães and Braga to the high-speed rail station. The Guimarães section plans 12 stops, including Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Sepsas, Canelos, Fermentões 1, Fermentões 2, São João de Ponte, Ponte, São Gemil, Avenida República das Taipas, Avenida 25 de Abril das Taipas, São Martinho de Sande, and Barrazar; supplemented by four stations on the branch line connecting to the AvePark technology park, including Chãneca, Avenida dos Combatentes, AvePark, and Balazar Industrial Zone. According to a statement released by the Guimarães City Council on October 7, 2025, the project is expected to require an investment of €200 million.