If you use the light rail in Almada or Seixal, expect very little service on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October 2026. Drivers of Metro Transportes do Sul (MTS), the company that runs the Metro Sul do Tejo, are on a full strike on both days, with only a short minimum service on one line. Shorter stoppages follow until 27 October.
What is happening
The train drivers’ union SMAQ (Sindicato Nacional dos Maquinistas dos Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses) called the strike after about two and a half years of talks on a new company agreement without a deal, according to the union’s notice. It wants better working conditions and a pay rise that makes up for lost purchasing power. MTS told Lusa it was surprised by the strike, called it disproportionate and said it remains open to talks.
According to the official MTS notice, the strike works like this:
- 20 and 21 October: full strike. Shifts that start on 19 October and end on 20 October are also covered, so problems can begin tonight.
- 22 to 27 October: strike in the last two hours of each work shift, including shifts that start on 27 October and end on 28 October.
MTS warns of heavy disruption from 16:30 on Monday 19 October until 02:00 on Thursday 22 October, and of possible delays and changes from 05:00 on 22 October until 02:00 on 28 October.
Minimum service
Under the minimum services set for 19 to 27 October, MTS will run Line 3 (Cacilhas – Universidade) only, from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00. Outside those hours, trams may not run at all on strike days. The company says it will run trams on Lines 1 and 3 whenever possible. If you normally use Line 2 (Corroios – Pragal), MTS asks you to change at the Bento Gonçalves stop and continue on Lines 1 or 3.
What it means for you
Many people who live south of the Tagus use the Metro Sul do Tejo to reach the Cacilhas ferry, the Pragal and Corroios train stations or the university campus at Monte da Caparica. If you have an early or late shift, a night job or a fixed appointment, plan another way to travel for Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Check before you leave: look at the MTS timetables and notices page on the morning you travel.
- Use other operators: this strike notice is for MTS only. Carris Metropolitana buses, Fertagus trains and Transtejo ferries are run by other companies and are not part of it, but they may be busier than usual.
- Tell your employer early if you might be late, and keep a screenshot of the MTS notice in case you need to explain.
- From 22 to 27 October, leave extra time, especially late in the day, when the two-hour stoppages at the end of shifts can cut services.
Travelling in Lisbon too? The Lisbon Metro (a different company) has separate partial strikes planned for 28 and 30 October between 05:00 and 10:00, RTP and Lusa reported.
Key dates
- Monday 19 October, from 16:30: heavy disruption may start.
- Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October: full strike; Line 3 only, 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–19:00.
- 22 to 27 October: strike in the last two hours of each shift; delays possible until 02:00 on 28 October.
Sources
- Metro Transportes do Sul – Pré-aviso de greve de 20 a 27 de outubro (official, 16 Oct 2026)
- SMAQ – Greve na Metro Transportes do Sul (16 Oct 2026)
- Lusa via SAPO – MTS alerta para possíveis constrangimentos devido a greve (19 Oct 2026)
- RTP/Lusa – Lisbon Metro partial strikes on 28 and 30 October (16 Oct 2026)
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Link in Portugal is an independent news site, not a transport operator. Check mts.pt for the latest service information.
