Inter-regional
InterRegional (IR), also Inter-Regional , in the plural Interregionais , is a type of train that the Portuguese State Railroad Comboios de Portugal uses for fast regional trains over medium distances. Like the Intercidades , this type of train was created in 1988 as part of a modernization plan for the Portuguese railway network. The InterRegional trains are operated by the CP Regional division and can be compared with the Central European Interregio or the German Regional Express .
history
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The InterRegional train type came into being after the Portuguese Ministry of Transport had passed the "Railway Modernization Plan 1988-1994 " ( Plano de Modernização dos Caminhos-de-ferros 1988-1994 ). Among other things, it provided for the introduction of the new train types Intercidades and InterRegional on important main and branch lines, and traffic was to be completely discontinued on unprofitable routes. The new InterRegionais replaces the former “Directo” train type.
Overall, there was no constant further development of this type of train, so connections were regularly introduced and later discontinued. Compared to the Intercidades - and later also the Alfa Pendular trains - the brand was not able to establish itself particularly well. In contrast to the two higher-quality train types, no inter-regional "network" is advertised. Due to economic problems of the Portuguese state railway, numerous Intercidades connections have meanwhile been downgraded to InterRegional. The connections Porto-Campanhã - Viana do Castelo (introduction IC 1988, replacement by IR 1994) and Porto-Campanhã– Régua (introduction IC 1998, replacement by IR 1994) can be cited as an example.
Ultimately, InterRegionais are primarily characterized by a few stops, but also by the operation with regional railcars. There is no catering similar to the Intercidades and the AlfaPendular, and there is no obligation to make a reservation.
Lines
| Driving distance | Railway line |
|---|---|
| Lisbon Santa Apolónia - Tomar | L. do Norte , R. de Tomar |
| Lisbon Santa Apolónia - Caldas da Rainha (- Coimbra ) | L. de Sintra , L. do Oeste , Ramal de Alfarelos |
| Lisbon Santa Apolónia– Porto-Campanhã | L. do Norte |
| Porto-Campanhã– Valença | L. do Minho |
| Porto-São Bento / Campanhã– Régua (- Pocinho ) | L. do Douro |
Vehicle use
On all Interregional -line exclusively local and regional transport railcars are used. All lines will be equipped with vehicles from the CP subsidiary CP Regional . Vehicle types 450 , 592 and 2240 are used depending on the number of passengers, needs and electrification of the route . All have a top speed of 120 km / h.
Passenger carriages comparable to German interregios are only used in exceptional cases, such as when there is particularly strong demand. In order to still be able to offer air-conditioned cars in these cases, the CP allows generator cars to travel along. This doubles the running costs of the passenger coaches.
Web links
- Overview page of the CP for all interregional and regional trains (Portuguese, English)
Individual evidence
- ^ Carlos Cipriano: CP sem comboios adequados para responder a elevada procura na linha do Douro. In: Público. September 13, 2014, Retrieved September 14, 2014 (Portuguese).