“We have managed, with drivers who are currently undergoing training and taking into account the available space in the timetable, to fit in an additional service between 07:42 and 07:53, departing from Miranda do Corvo,” MM president Leonel Serra said at a press conference in Miranda do Corvo, in the Coimbra district.

The new service will depart from Corvo station in Miranda do Corvo at 07:48, bound for Coimbra, on weekdays.

According to Leonel Serra, the system had not reached its maximum capacity, and the additional service will make journeys more comfortable.

A survey conducted by the company over two weeks found that an average of 22.8 passengers were standing on the 07:42 service departing from Miranda do Corvo. On the 07:53 service, the average was 17.6 passengers.

“This service will accommodate these passengers who are currently travelling standing up,” he said.

The metrobus system has capacity for 82 standing passengers and 54 seated passengers along the entire route.

With the additional journey, the metrobus system will operate 458 services per day on weekdays, up from the 421 required under the public service contract, according to Leonel Serra.

Miranda do Corvo Mayor José Miguel Ferreira said the additional 100 passenger places during rush hour would bring “a major improvement” to the region’s transport network and described the announcement as “excellent news”.

“We are pleased because we believe that people living in our area will have better conditions from 16 November,” he said.

José Miguel Ferreira highlighted the “very significant increase in demand” for the metrobus in recent months, particularly following the extension of the line. This had resulted in “many people travelling standing up”, especially during the morning rush hour, on journeys lasting between 25 and 40 minutes.

“It is not such a short journey, and in Miranda’s case, the situation is made worse by the fact that several of the vehicles are already close to capacity when they arrive from Lousã,” he added.

At the press conference, the MM president also announced that recruitment was under way for seven drivers and that the company might establish a recruitment pool.

“Our aim is to have a stable workforce, preferably made up of drivers from the region, who are more likely to help us maintain that stability,” he said.

According to Leonel Serra, “eight or nine” drivers left the company last year, with salaries cited as the reason for their departures.

“We are in a situation of full employment, and the driver market, particularly for long-distance services, (…) pays more than Metro Mondego,” he noted.

Leonel Serra said the company currently employs 73 drivers but needs 82.

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