Abstract
The origins of Portugal's bus industry and its period of nationalisation are outlined. With the election of a government keen on a market economy the decision was taken to privatise bus operations. Details are given of the break up into individual companies and the organisations interested in purchasing them. A table is provided showing the dates at which companies were sold, the prices paid and the percentage held by Barraquerio. The future of the industry is discussed. Considerable investment will be needed to improve an ageing fleet. Improvements will also be needed to timetables, passenger facilities and image.