Lisbon's bus service on Carris road remains operational following citywide power outage
In the wake of recent power outages, Carris announced that its bustling public transportation service using buses is still running, albeit with temporary hiccups in the electrical and elevator systems. In a statement, Carris, managed by Lisbon municipality, assured the public that normal operations will be restored as soon as feasibly possible.
REN - Redes Energéutilitária Nacional reported a widespread blackout across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of French territory. As part of their emergency plans, they are working diligently to restore the energy supply. The power outage hit at 11:30 AM local time and has forced the closure of numerous public and private services such as transport, commerce, restaurants, and schools.
According to Lusa, the Lisbon Metro service has been halted with all stations shuttered. Traffic has significantly increased in the city, particularly at locations like the 2nd Circular, which runs east to west through the capital.
Early in the afternoon, a Carris driver informed Lusa that their internal communication systems were facing issues, but Carris Metropolitana — the operator for Lisbon's Metropolitan Area — was stepping up to help facilitate road passenger transport.
Based on the latest reports from April 28, 2025, power restoration is underway in Spain's northern and southern regions, although full recovery might take between 6 to 10 hours (late evening or early morning local time). Portugal has not provided an official restoration time, with potential delays stretching into several days or even a week for normal operations. France's power supply has been largely restored with grid operators assisting Spain.
Due to the blackout, Lisbon Metro service has remained suspended, and Carris bus service is experiencing severe disruptions, causing overcrowding as buses become the only operational transit option. Madrid Metro is facing a similar predicament, also being paralyzed, according to recent reports.
Moreover, Spain's transportation minister confirmed that metro systems cannot immediately resume operations post-restoration, indicating possible extended breaks in service. Portuguese authorities have not supplied a timeline for transit recovery beyond acknowledging widespread grid instability.
References:[1] Official Spanish government news source[2] Portuguese state-owned news agency Lusa[3] Spanish private news outlet ElDiario.es[4] Portuguese private news outlet SAPO Notícias
Also read: Lisbon Metro closed due to blackout
The power outage affecting Lisbon and parts of France has led to significant disruptions in public-transit services, particularly the Lisbon Metro and Carris buses. Carris, managed by Lisbon municipality, announced temporary hiccups in their electrical and elevator systems despite the bus service still running. REN - Redes Energéutilitária Nacional reported a widespread blackout impacting Portugal, parts of France, and the Iberian Peninsula, with restoration expected between 6 to 10 hours in Spain but no official timeline provided for Portugal. Other affected sectors include commerce, restaurants, and schools, while France's power supply has been largely restored. The transport industry, including Madrid Metro, is facing similar predicaments, with possible extended breaks in service post-restoration. This news comes from official Spanish and Portuguese government news sources, as well as private news outlets.
