"Considering the latest status of this project, the arrival of the first unit in Portugal is scheduled for the end of this year. The completion of the approval tests and delivery of the first railcars to CP will take place during the second half of 2026," reads a response from CP to questions from Lusa.

At issue is the order for 22 new railcars from Stadler, 12 of which are dual-mode (with electric and diesel traction), placed in 2020 for 158 million euros, primarily intended for regional service on the Oeste and Alentejo lines.

In April, an official CP source told the newspaper Público that "in light of several contingencies," the manufacturer anticipated that it was no longer possible to "meet the delivery deadline," which had predicted the arrival of the first railcar starting in October of this year and, thereafter, two railcars per month.

At the time, CP had already asked Stadler to present "proposals to mitigate this delay," and the company committed to presenting "a new schedule for the delivery of the railcars, which will be analyzed and evaluated."

The potential delay even prompted the Beja City Council to send a letter to CP regarding the issue involving the railcars that will serve the region, with the mayor, Paulo Arsénio (PS), expressing "great concern."

The contract signed in October 2020 for the acquisition of 22 Flirt railcars "includes the supply of twelve Bi-Mode Railcars and ten Electric Railcars and their respective parts, as well as the provision of preventive and corrective maintenance services for a minimum period of three years, accompanied by training services."

At the time, CP assured that "this reinforcement of the rolling stock will increase CP's capacity to respond to the mobility needs of the population, particularly in regional services, ensuring the transition to full electrification of the railway infrastructure."