Within the scope of its activities, REFER manages an operational network spanning 2,841 kilometres, all over Portugal, with approximately 2,000 daily journeys, serving a population of around 8.5 million.

Managing and maximising the network capacity is a constant challenge, aimed at increasing the availability of transport services, with a consequent improvement in the commercial profitability of the infrastructure.

The introduction of advanced telecommunications and electronic signalling systems in recent years, coupled with new working methodologies and command and control equipment for circulation of rolling stock have contributed towards improved performances in terms of network operations.