Why Lisbon’s Streetcars May Be a Hidden Tourism Risk

LISBON — The charming, yellow streetcars that rattle through Lisbon’s narrow streets are a picture-perfect symbol of the Portuguese capital. But officials and residents are quietly warning that these historic trams, especially the famous Tram 28, are becoming a serious risk due to extreme overcrowding.

The trams have become a victim of their own success. Tourist numbers in Lisbon have surged in the past decade, and a ride on a vintage streetcar is now at the top of most visitors’ lists.

This has led to a situation where the carriages, designed for a different era, are packed well beyond their intended capacity, especially during the summer months.

Concerns are now growing that the situation is a ticking time bomb. “You have dozens of people crammed into a small, old vehicle with limited exits, navigating very steep hills and sharp turns,” said a local transport union representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s not a question of if an accident will happen, but when.”

The city’s transport authority, Carris, has acknowledged the issue of overcrowding, stating that it constantly monitors the safety of the lines.

Data from Carris shows that the historic tram lines serve millions of passengers annually, a significant portion of whom are tourists. You can find more details on their services on the official Carris website.

This intense pressure on the system is creating other problems, too. The trams are a hotbed for pickpockets, who take advantage of the cramped conditions. More importantly, the overcrowding is pushing out local residents who depend on the trams for their daily commute.

Many have been forced to find alternative, often more expensive, transport as they simply cannot board the jam-packed cars.

Several sources within the city’s tourism board have expressed concern that a major incident could severely damage Lisbon’s reputation. “Right now, the trams are a huge draw for the city,” one source said. “

But one serious accident, and they become a symbol of tourism gone wrong. It’s a delicate balance.”

Portugal’s tourism sector is a vital part of its economy, contributing over 15% to the country’s GDP in recent years, according to figures from the National Statistics Institute (INE).

While solutions like dedicated tourist trams or better crowd management systems have been discussed, no significant changes have been implemented yet. For now, the little yellow trams continue their journey, carrying not just passengers, but a hidden risk that Lisbon can no longer afford to ignore.