Portugal’s second-largest city makes public transport free for residents

Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto, has decided to make all public transport free for local residents, Euronews reports.

The measure applies to the entire Andante transport network, including Porto Metro, STCP and Unir bus services, urban trains, trams, and future ferry services connecting Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia.

The initiative was an election promise by Mayor Pedro Duarte, who won the latest elections as head of the PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition.

According to Duarte, the annual cost of the program will amount to between €20 million and €25 million. One possible source of funding could be an increase in the tourist tax to €4, bringing it “to the level of Lisbon.”

The city administration expects the free transport scheme to make travel across Porto and its metropolitan area more efficient and accessible.

By Jeyhun Aghazada