Lisbon municipal transport operator Carris has accepted safety recommendations following the fatal Glória funicular crash that killed 16 people.
The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF) formally issued six safety directives in November following the September 3, 2025 derailment in central Lisbon.
Four of the recommendations were directed to Carris, which operates Lisbon's municipal public transport system, and two were sent to the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), Portugal's national transport regulator. GPIAAF confirmed in an update on Friday that both entities accepted and acted upon all recommendations.
The crash involved the historic Glória funicular and left 16 people dead and two dozen injured, including Portuguese nationals and foreign tourists.
Internal Control and Maintenance Oversight
Investigators instructed Carris to review its internal control system regarding how safety-critical vehicle components are acquired, received, and installed.
Carris responded by initiating an external audit of its electric transport maintenance. The operator also launched a project to categorize materials and began optimizing compliance across its Integrated Management System.
GPIAAF also recommended that Carris clarify contractual obligations with its funicular maintenance provider and enforce effective inspection and quality control over service work.
Carris reinforced its internal monitoring structure, agreed to terminate the existing maintenance contract, and transferred contractual responsibilities to a specialized firm with expertise in funicular infrastructure.
Operational Safety and Fleet Inspection
A further directive required Carris to conduct a critical review of its safety management system across electric transit modes, including funiculars and elevators, to evaluate operational risks to passengers and the public.
Carris strengthened its Operational Safety Area, which participates in an Independent Technical Committee established by Lisbon City Council. The company completed a new operating manual for the Graça funicular, approved by IMT, and is preparing a similar manual for the Santa Justa Lift.
GPIAAF also ordered that no operated funicular be restored to service until traction cable attachment designs and braking system effectiveness are re-evaluated by an independent, qualified body.
Carris confirmed that any return to service will follow independent technical reviews of cable attachments, traction systems, and braking mechanisms. The Graça funicular became the first line to resume service after undergoing checks by the Welding and Quality Institute (ISQ) and a Spanish technical firm. The Santa Justa Lift is undergoing a complete review, though its structure remains in sound condition.
Regulatory Changes and Report Timeline
GPIAAF advised IMT to establish a regulatory framework for technical oversight of all funiculars and to bring streetcars under independent safety rules aligned with European Union practices.
IMT accepted both recommendations and incorporated them into draft legislation for metro and tram systems then under development.
A preliminary report issued on October 20, 2025, cited maintenance omissions on the Glória funicular, a lack of staff training, and inadequate supervision of contracted maintenance work.
GPIAAF was originally scheduled to publish its final report by September 3, 2026. However, due to the complexity of the investigation and expert testing, the agency now expects to issue the final document near the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Victim Compensation Settlements
Carris has finalized three compensation settlements for victims and families affected by the Glória funicular accident.
The transport operator noted that some administrative claims remain pending due to delays in obtaining official death certificates.
