In a press release, FlixBus states that its entry into the terminal comes “more than six months after the decision of the Lisbon Administrative Court, on 8 March, which determined FlixBus's immediate access to Sete Rios, and represents only a first phase of a process that the operator considers far from being concluded.”

Tiago Cavaco Alves, director of FlixBus operations in Portugal, quoted in the same statement, says that “this is a first step that finally allows us to start operating in Sete Rios, but it does not mean that the process is resolved, given the reduced volume of operations. FlixBus will continue to demand greater scrutiny of the terminal's effective capacity and fight for access under equitable, transparent and non-discriminatory conditions, until the court's decision is fully complied with.”

The 23 FlixBus services will represent about 1.9% of the Sete Rios Terminal's supposed capacity, which receives around 1200 services per day. Between 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm, there will be no FlixBus buses, thus creating "a blockage period at the time of highest demand," according to the long-distance public transport company. However, some of the assigned schedules are not available every day, "which prevents the operation of some trips only on certain days, causing some interruption in the operation."

"Starting operations on 29 September is important for our passengers, but it doesn't change the fundamental issue," argues Tiago Cavaco Alves. "Therefore, our goal remains to ensure that FlixBus can use Sete Rios under the same conditions as other operators, and according to the capacity actually available at the terminal," he concludes.

At the Sete Rios Terminal, FlixBus will also have a dedicated ticket office, in addition to passenger support staff. "Tickets for trips to and from Sete Rios are now available on the FlixBus app and website, at Pagaqui points of sale, and at the operator's partner travel agencies," the company announces.