The accident has cast a shadow over the city, particularly affecting those familiar with the popular tram 28, known for its scenic route through Lisbon’s historic districts. André Marques, a seasoned operator who previously navigated the tram’s intricate path, had transitioned to managing the funicular, now infamous as “the most tragic usual” route due to wednesday’s derailment.

A colleague of Marques shared, “He was a joke, cheerful, he gave me many tips to try to perform a good service and avoid delays.” The city’s tram system observed a minute of silence for Marques, coinciding with his funeral in his hometown of Oleiros. Initial findings suggest that the cable connecting the two funicular cars snapped, and despite Marques’ efforts to brake, the accelerated descent proved fatal. The 45-year-old operator, a father of two, was unable to prevent the tragedy that unfolded in a mere 50 seconds.

Maintenance Under Scrutiny

“Save in flour and spend on bran. There are no indications of sabotage… He is unforgivable and I hope there is technical and political consequences.”

In the wake of the accident, Pedro de Brito, president of Carris, defended the company’s maintenance expenditures and the work of MNTC, the firm responsible for inspections since winning bids in 2019 and 2022. However, the most recent public tender faced a setback when all bids exceeded Carris’s economic proposal of 1.19 million euros, a figure lower than the 1.72 million euros offered in 2022. This led to a direct award to MNTC for a five-month extension while a new contest is prepared.

This decision is now facing criticism. Pedro teixeira, a local business owner, lamented the situation, stating, “Save in flour and spend on bran,” alluding to prioritizing less essential expenses over critical ones. Teixeira expressed his dismay, emphasizing the lack of evidence of sabotage and pointing to maintenance failures as the likely cause. He hopes for both technical and political accountability. The sound of sirens alerted him to the disaster while he was working near Rua Augusta.

Teixeira anticipates that some passengers will be apprehensive about riding the elevator of glory when it reopens. Cayo Payo Payo Toledo, standing on the steps of the Santa justa elevator, which was closed for review after the accident, admitted to feeling fearful. However, his mother, Sagario Sardinia Martín, disagreed, stating, “I would go up, just like when there is an plane accident or car you return to them.”

Vítor Santos, a Carris driver and union representative, echoed this sentiment.”That same day there was a collapse in a building in the Graça neighborhood. Are we going to stop all the works? No accidents occur. Now we must evaluate whether maintenance was well or badly done,” he said. Santos also dismissed claims of overcrowding, asserting that each trip is limited to 42 passengers and that the staff ensures compliance.He stated that there is never overweight in these transports.

At both ends of the Gloria calzada, makeshift memorials have appeared, adorned with flowers, candles, notes, and sixteen small stuffed animals.Federica Piedne, an Italian visitor, placed a bouquet at the Plaza de los Restauradores memorial, expressing her deep affection for Lisbon. Piedne, who works in paris, believes that continuing to use the elevator is the best way to support the city in the future.

Piedne and her husband were near the scene of the tragedy. The sounds of ambulance sirens shattered their image of Lisbon as a happy, radiant city, symbolized by the yellow trams and the margaritas left by the Mendes family in tribute to the victims. A stranger wrote on the ground: “Lisbon lost the light.”