FUTURE MEMORY | TRANSPORTATION

In the text " Thank You 2023 ", I revealed between the lines that the end of the journey of the FM | TRANSPORTATION page was imminent. Because the fatigue at the wheel of this "long vehicle", caused by incomprehensible and almost permanent obstacles, was beginning to take its toll. Over the years, I tried to show readers around the world the positive evolution of the transportation sector in Portugal, contributing to its good knowledge and appreciation. Above all, I tried to build bridges between sometimes distant banks. With more than fitty thousand images taken, I have never given in to the temptation of publishing them en masse – I have always chosen the most difficult path, seeking to associate each shared image with its technical and historical context. With about four hundred images published, I have above all sought to stimulate the taste for research, knowledge and culture – for identity. Over the years and with iron determination, I devoted all the necessa...

Coach operated by LDT Transports et Voyages seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , in June 2016. This coach is an Otokar Vectio T registered in 2015. It has an overall length of 32.8 ft and uses the 213 kW (290 hp) MAN D0836 LOH engine. Established in 2014 and based in La Châtre , LDT Transports et Voyages ¹ operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Otokar Vectio T visiting Lisboa on an occasional service.  Created in 1963 and based in Arifiye, Turkey, Otokar ² initially produces buses under Magirus-Deutz license. From the 1980s onwards, production is diversified, including off-road military vehicles and, in 2011, the Altay main battle tank, used by the Turkish Armed Forces. In 2024, the range of buses covers the main typologies, with lengths between 21.7 and 68.9 ft and equipped with different engines, including CNG and state-of-the-art electric alternatives. Introduced in 2007, the Otokar Doruk T (" doruk " ...

Coach operated by Isidoro Duarte seen at Praça dos Restauradores,  Lisboa , in May 2023. This coach with fleet number 337 is an Alfredo Caetano Tétis Class registered in 2011. It uses the MAN 18.400 HOCL chassis with the 294 kW (400 hp) MAN D2066 LOH engine. With its origins going back to 1923 and based in  Milharado , Isidoro Duarte ¹ operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Alfredo Caetano Tétis Class on an occasional service. ● Autocarro operado pela Isidoro Duarte visto na Praça dos Restauradores,  Lisboa , em Maio de 2023. Este autocarro com o número de frota 337 é um Alfredo Caetano Tétis Class registado em 2011. Utiliza o chassis MAN 18.400 HOCL com o motor MAN D2066 LOH de 294 kW (400 hp). Com a sua origem a recuar a 1923 e baseada em/no  Milharado , a Isidoro Duarte ¹ opera serviços regulares, serviços regulares especializados e serviços ocasionais. Aqui, vemos este Alfredo Caetano Tétis Class n...

Tour bus operated by Beat The Street seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , in August 2012. This tour bus is based on a Van Hool T918 Altano registered in 2006. It has an overall length of 46.1 ft and offers two lounges, twelve bunks, washroom  and a fully equipped kitchen. Based in Fritzens , Beat The Street ¹ operates "an extensive fleet of […] purpose-built sleeper coaches exclusive to the entertainment industry." Here, we see this eye-catching Van Hool T918 Altano bringing a musician or band to a gig in Lisboa ² . As a note of interest, the Van Hool T918 Altano designation denotes a touring coach ( T , T ouringcar ) of the 9-series ( 9 ), with a maximum of eighteen rows of seats ( 18 ). The name Altano is inspired on the Latin word altus , meaning "high", and highlights one of the features of this coach, the generous height of its luggage compartment. The Van Hool T918 Altano is proposed with two engine options – the 340 kW (462 hp) DAF MX 340 or the 353 ...

Coach operated by Costa Ferreira seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , in November 2019. This coach with fleet number 1055 is a Neoplan Tourliner registered in 2017. It has an overall length of 39.7 ft and uses the MAN D2676 LOH engine. Established in 1939 and based in Maia , Costa Ferreira ¹ operates regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Neoplan Tourliner on an occasional service.  ●   Autocarro operado pela Costa Ferreira visto na Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , em Novembro de 2019. Este autocarro com o número de frota 1055 é um Neoplan Tourliner registado em 2017. Tem um comprimento total de 12,11 m e utiliza o motor MAN D2676 LOH. Estabelecida em 1939 e baseada em/na Maia , a Costa Ferreira ¹ opera serviços regulares especializados e serviços ocasionais. Aqui, vemos este Neoplan Tourliner num serviço ocasional.  ● ¹   "Joaquim da Costa Ferreira & Filhos, Lda.", Maia, Portugal.   Costa Fe...

Coach operated by Sarfa seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , in May 2011. This coach with fleet number 3310 is a Noge Titanium registered in 2010. It uses a MAN 18.440 HOCL chassis with the 324 kW (440 hp) MAN D2066 LOH engine. Established in 1921 and based in Palafrugell , Sarfa (acronym of S ociedad A nónima de R ibot, F ont y A rtigas) ¹ operates regular services, regular specialized services and occasional services. Sarfa becomes part of the Sarbus group in 2000. Here, we see this Noge Titanium on an occasional service. Presented as a prototype in the 2004 " FIAA "  ² , in Madrid, and available to operators since 2005, the eye-catching Noge Titanium can be matched with various chassis, in lengths from 40 ft to 49.2 ft, accommodating up to 71 passengers (71+1+1). In some contexts, the suffixes "HD" and "HDH" are found in the designation – they indicate the nominal height of the vehicle, 11.3 ft or 12.1 ft. In the image we see a HD. As a note o...

Coach operated by Autocares Antonio Muñoz seen on Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar,  Lisboa , in July 2017. This coach is a Sunsundegui SC7 registered in 2014. It has an overall length of 43.1 ft and can accommodate 55 seated passengers. Equipped with a lifting platform, it can, when necessary, accommodate up to 6 passengers in wheelchairs. This coach uses the Scania K440EB 4x2 chassis with the 324 kW (440 hp) Scania DC13 engine. Established in 1970 and based in Lorca , Autocares Antonio Muñoz (or A Muñoz) ¹ operates regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Sunsundegui SC7 on an occasional service. Established in 1944 by José Sunsundegui and based in Irún, relocated to a modern factory in Alsasua from 2017, Sunsundegui proposes in 2012 the SC7 combined with different chassis, in lengths between 40.5 ft and 49.2 ft, with a standard height of 12.2 ft. In its longest version, the SC7 can accommodate up to 71 passengers (71+1+1), offering a luggage capa...

Coach operated by Autocares Moreno seen at Praça Marquês de Pombal,  Lisboa , in May 2012. This coach is an Irizar Century registered in 2009. It uses a MAN chassis. Established in 1977 by Antonio Moreno Rodríguez and based in Albolote , Autocares Moreno (or Autocares A. Moreno) ¹ operates regular specialized services and occasional services. Here, we see this Irizar Century on an occasional service.  Presented in 1989, the year in which Irizar celebrated its centennial, the aptly named Irizar Century is a coach body offered in lengths from 27.6 ft to 49 ft, usually combined with Scania, Volvo, MAN or Mercedes-Benz chassis with two or three axles and with the engine mounted longitudinally at the rear. Some of the shorter versions have a front engine. Visually appealing, robust and versatile, the Irizar Century, together with the InterCentury, the interurban version, quickly becomes a worldwide sales success, remaining available for more than twenty years ² and ...