BUS HISTORY: The CARRIS Buses & Coaches 1940-1980. Lisbon, Portugal

Foundation and Early Years (1872-1900)

The Carris company was founded on 18 September 1872 in Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of establishing in Lisbon an “American-style” transport system — that is, horse-drawn carriages running on rails.
On 17 November 1873 the first line of “Americans” (horse-drawn carriages) was inaugurated.
By 1874 there were already about 29,500 metres of track, 54 carriages and 421 animals dedicated to traction.

During this initial period, Lisbon was expanding and the need to connect different parts of the city was growing. Carris assumed a pioneering role in structuring this urban mobility network.

Electrification and Network Expansion (1900-1940)
At the beginning of the 20th century, the transition from animal traction to electric traction began. The electrification of the network represented a major technological turning point: faster lines, greater frequency, less reliance on animals, and better adaptation to urban growth.

The expansion of the tram network allowed public transport to reach more distant neighbourhoods, supporting the urban development of Lisbon. This phase consolidated Carris as a central piece of the city’s mobility.

Buses, Modernisation and Renewal (1940-1990)
On 9 April 1944, Carris inaugurated the public bus service in the city of Lisbon. Initially serving routes to the Airport and central zones, over the decades the service evolved to double-decker vehicles, articulated buses, mini-buses for narrow streets, and the renewal of trams with more modern technologies.

This modernisation enabled the company to adapt to urban changes: new avenues, peripheral neighbourhoods, demands for comfort and service that required a more efficient fleet.

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