Worry about cleanliness is prevalent in Portugal
In the first half of 2025, Portugal's public transport sector has faced a surge in complaints, with over 1,100 cases related to hygiene issues reported on the Complaints Portal. These concerns, some of which are alarming, such as the presence of cockroaches, have sparked increased attention from transport companies and regulatory authorities.
The analysis by the Complaints Portal reveals that poor hygiene is the second most frequent reason for complaints, trailing behind poor service quality provided by operators. Fertagus and STCP have garnered 9.64% and 4.44% of complaints respectively, while Carris Metropolitana, the entity most targeted for hygiene issues, accounts for 19.97% of complaints.
Commuters frequently report issues such as accumulated trash, persistent unpleasant odours, and the presence of pests like cockroaches. The leading cause of dissatisfaction remains service failures or poor quality provided by transport companies, representing 27.47% of complaints.
In response to these growing concerns, authorities and companies are taking steps to improve hygiene conditions. Enhanced cleaning protocols on vehicles and stations, increased inspections and monitoring for infestations, and investments in infrastructure upgrades to replace aging vehicles or facilities are among the typical responses.
For instance, the new tram line 16E in Lisbon, a major investment of €160 million, aims to improve public transport infrastructure and connectivity, which may indirectly include improved hygiene and maintenance standards as part of modernization efforts.
Despite the absence of direct references to cockroach-specific measures in the available sources, the high number of complaints suggests that both regulators and transport operators are likely taking or preparing actions to address these hygiene concerns. This is particularly important to protect local and international tourism.
The geographic distribution of complaints shows a higher incidence in Lisbon, Porto, and Setúbal, regions with the highest density of public transport. The lack of hygiene conditions on public transport is a problem that passengers face daily and has been gaining attention on Portal da Queixa.
Other notable issues include delays and service interruptions, inefficient customer service, financial and contractual problems, lack of safety, and technical or operational failures. Interestingly, most consumers who complained about the sector are female (56.51%), and the predominant age group is between 25 and 54 years old.
As the second quarter of 2025 saw a 27.21% increase compared to the same period in 2024, it is clear that addressing these hygiene concerns is a pressing issue. It is hoped that responsible entities will take this data as a wake-up call and make strides to ensure a minimally hygienic environment on public transport services.
- Given the high number of complaints about poor hygiene conditions on public transport in Portugal, it's essential that authorities and companies implement strategies to improve health-and-wellness standards, such as implementing enhanced cleaning protocols, increasing inspections for infestations, and investing in infrastructure upgrades to ensure a more sanitary environment.
- The concerns about health-and-wellness on Portugal's public transport system have escalated, with reports of accumulated trash, persistent unpleasant odors, and the presence of pests like cockroaches leading the way. These issues, particularly if left unaddressed, could negatively impact tourism, highlighting the importance of addressing these science-based issues promptly.
