As of today (Wednesday, September 10) the Nazaré funicular is closed to the public for an indefinite period of time.
The municipality has explained the decision in the context of “a national assessment of cable transport equipment”, following last week’s mass-casualty event in Lisbon, that saw 16 people lose their lives, and 22 injured, some critically.
In a statement published on its website, the municipality describes the pause as part of a “preventive measure that aims to ensure that the vehicle maintains all the conditions for safe operation.”
In recent months, according to Nazaré Municipal Services, the funicular has been inspected by competent external bodies – namely CATIM, the Technological Support Centre for the Metalworking Industry, and IMT, the Institute of Mobility and Transport (this being interesting bearing in mind that the Glória funicular that crashed so catastrophically was not inspected by either of these external bodies). Neither entity raised “any reservations” about the condition of the Nazaré funicular.
Even so, “in view of the technical recommendation to replace the traction cable, whose intervention was already planned for October, and following the guidelines of the regulatory bodies, the funicular will remain closed until further technical validation is carried out to ensure that it can operate in maximum safety conditions”, says the council.
The municipality adds that “while the funicular is at a standstill, alternative passenger transport will be provided by bus”, to ensure mobility between Praia and Sítio.
Source: LUSA
