CP has been working directly with the Ministry of Infrastructure on the business plan for the operation of high-speed lines and “until now we have always received support for our service objective. “They never gave us information on how to limit the CP at high speeds.” The statements were made by the president of the railway operator, Pedro Moreira, before the deputies of the economy and public works commission.

Pedro Moreira was summoned to Parliament to explain CP’s business plan by the Left Bloc after the Infrastructure Minister said he was re-evaluating the company’s plan to buy high-speed trains that came from the previous socialist tutelage. Miguel Pinto Luz gave clear signs of wanting to reduce the number of competing units so as not to have a monopolistic CP. “We’re not going to buy as many as CP wanted.” Buying trains with a quota of 80% “is not healthy for the market.”

The president of CP indicated that the company is still waiting for the green light from the government to launch the contest, which it hopes to do at the end of this year.

“In the different meetings they never gave us any limitations on the number of trains to be acquired.” CP already presented to the guardianship the economic viability study of the high-speed operation and, on the 14th, the business plan for the next ten years. “The shareholder will evaluate and make a decision and we will move forward based on that decision.”

I appeal to the deputies. “Do not ask for the delivery of the business plan. It is confidential and would be detrimental to CP.

Pedro Moreira also highlighted that the number of trains that CP will buy has been reviewed since the studies for this contest began in 2020. The president of the CP did not indicate any number to deputies or journalists. There is news that the company intends to buy 14 or 16 high-speed trains, in an investment of more than 500 million euros. Pedro Moreira explained that there have been fluctuations in the number of units with respect to the base quantity that will be launched in the tender and those remaining for an optional order. “The total number remained the same. “We have adjusted the base amount as we progressed in our studies.”

Pedro Moreira took the opportunity to appeal to the deputies. Do not request the delivery of CP’s business plan to Parliament because it contains confidential information that must be kept confidential and this would harm CP.” The manager remembers that the company does not know the plans of its competitors.

The manager also contradicts the thesis that CP’s offer will be monopolistic in high speed and affirms that the planned services will occupy, in a first phase, 40% of the infrastructure capacity and in a second phase, 20% of the ability. “There will be capacity for other operators to enter.” CP says it is not afraid of competition, however its president warns of the impact that high speed will have on the company’s most profitable services. Pendular Alpha currently accounts for a fifth of the operator’s revenue.

“Alpha commuters are out of public service, but they are crucial to CP, generating a fifth of revenue and this service will move to high speed.”

The president of CP also added that it is part of the company’s plans to operate in Spain in the high-speed service, but to do so it is necessary to start operating first in Portugal to explore engineering and commercial synergies. The manager also indicated that demand studies are being carried out to include these services in the company’s business plan. Pedro Moreira also stated that CP’s intention is to operate a complementary service with Renfe, a Spanish operator, with whom “we have been working very closely.” Renfe has already expressed its intention to extend its services to Portugal in long-distance transport, which has been liberalized. “We are not afraid of competition, there is a market for CP and other operators.”