METROPOLITANO de Lisboa opened its short extension from Rotunda to Rato on December 26, diverting services from Campo Grande via Entre Campos into the new Rato terminus.
On the same day through services between Campo Grande and Pontinha via Areeiro and the city centre were suspended to allow the disconnection of the U-shaped route to form two separate lines. The Campo Grande - Areeiro line will be extended to an interchange with CP suburban services at Cais do Sodre shortly, and the Pontinha line will be diverted to Terreiro do Paço and Santa Apolónia at a later date.
At the inauguration of Rato, the transport minister confirmed that the first stage of Line D from Alameda to serve the Expo 98 fairground will be ready in time for the opening of the event in May. o
