As September approaches, there is good news for those who use public transportation daily to commute from home to work. The Green Rail Pass (PFV) will be extended to CP – Comboios de Portugal’s urban services in Lisbon and Porto, with a projected price of 20 euros per month.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, cited by SIC Notícias, the expansion of the PFV is also expected to cover the Fertagus line and take effect during European Mobility Week, from September 16 to 22.
Annual savings of up to 480 euros
According to the same sources mentioned above, the expansion of the Green Rail Pass to the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas could result in annual savings of 480 euros, but only in specific cases: when the passenger travels exclusively by rail and, prior to the change, had to combine the Green Rail Pass with a metropolitan pass.
The PFV does not replace the Navegante or Andante passes for those who need to use the metro, electric bus, or other forms of transportation covered by these intermodal passes.
According to Diário de Notícias, the Ministry of Infrastructure provided a specific estimate, giving the example of a passenger who lives in Monte Abraão, in the municipality of Sintra, and works in Entrecampos.
In this specific case, “you may replace the 40-euro Navegante pass or the current 32.35-euro CP subscription with the 20-euro PFV, provided you travel exclusively by train. Compared to the Navegante pass, the difference amounts to 240 euros per year.”
The maximum savings of 480 euros per year correspond, in turn, to the elimination of an additional monthly charge of 40 euros— that is, 40 euros over 12 months—in a scenario where passengers previously needed to combine the PFV with a metropolitan area pass
It is also important to note that the PFV will continue to exclude Alfa Pendular services and first-class travel on Intercidades trains.”