Daily Life: Mobility news in Portugal

Half of Europeans do not use public transport and the Portuguese exceed the average

The "bridge train" revolutionised mobility between the banks of the Tagus

Fertagus trains have transported 560 million passengers since 1999, more than the population of the European Union.

End of shared bicycles and e-scooters in Espinho; council seeks greater safety and pedestrian mobility

The executive argues that the disorder caused by these vehicles has threatened mobility and safety in public spaces. All vehicles must be collected by next Friday, July 31st.

Espinho ends shared bicycle and e-scooter services

An agreement signed with the previous executive was touted as a 'more sustainable internal mobility solution'. The contract between the company and the municipality ended in March. The city council is seeking to enhance public space.

Espinho ends shared bicycle and scooter programme in the city

The Espinho City Council will end the shared bicycle and scooter programme in the city on Friday, arguing that the disorder caused by these vehicles has threatened mobility and safety in public spaces. At issue is the protocol signed in 2022 with the company Byrd, which was highlighted by the executive...

Electric scooters for people with reduced mobility

Residents in Óbidos can use the vehicles in the town.

Free public transport from today in the city of Porto

The Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, admitted today that free public transport will not be the “silver bullet” to solve mobility in the municipality, but it provides legitimacy to take more restrictive measures regarding cars.

Transtejo extends Almada to Oeiras connection starting Thursday

The river connection between Trafaria (Almada) and Lisbon will be extended to Pedrouços/Algés (Oeiras) starting Thursday, with daily service provided by TTSL. This new route coincides with the NOS Alive music festival and aims to boost public transport options during high demand. The service will run on a six-month trial basis, marking the first new river connection created by the company since 1997. TTSL president Rui Rei highlighted the move as a commitment to sustainable mobility. Additionally, the company recently launched an experimental weekend service between Seixal, Barreiro, and Cais do Sodré to improve inter-municipal travel on the south bank of the Tagus.

Lisbon, the European capital where rush hour lasts all day

Lisbon faces severe mobility challenges as its public transport network fails to meet the needs of its citizens, leading to a heavy reliance on private vehicles and ride-hailing services. With approximately 20,000 ride-hailing and taxi vehicles operating daily, the city's infrastructure remains congested. Recent reports from the European Court of Auditors highlight significant flaws in urban mobility planning, particularly the lack of integration between municipalities. As major events like Rock in Rio and international football matches further strain the system, residents face long wait times and rising costs, while the city's leadership, including Mayor Carlos Moedas, continues to face criticism over the effectiveness of the transport network.

Uber strengthens commitment to inclusive mobility in Portugal with new Uber Assist model

Uber has introduced a new model for its Uber Assist service to improve accessibility and inclusive transport options across Portugal.

tnews.pt15 Jun

Portugal has become one of the most car-dependent European countries

Portugal has seen an increase in reliance on private vehicles compared to other nations in Europe.

Jornal de Negócios5 Jun

Citroën 2 CV is the inspiration for a new model

Paris will host a new model inspired by the Citroën 2 CV in October, announced the Stellantis group, adding that this decision is part of the FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan. The iconic model entered production four years after the end of World War II and remained one of the most sought-after vehicles in Europe until mass production ended in 1990. Now, the French brand intends to present a new model inspired by the 'old' 2 CV at the Paris Motor Show this coming October. The brand states that this vision of accessible mobility will be electric, simple, versatile, and they hope, 'desirable'. The brand aims to remain a leader in electric mobility while maintaining a strong identity and personality, something that has always characterized 2 CV owners. The brand further notes that 'with this new model, Citroën will reinterpret this philosophy for a new generation'. The inspiration from the original model means creating an accessible, lightweight, practical, and versatile car with a distinctive character. Citroën intends to create a new icon and contribute to the creation of a new category of small, accessible electric vehicles. Citroën also highlights that, given current needs for this type of consumer, the offering is focused on the current e-C3 in its urban range version.

Portugal among European countries with the lowest public transport usage

Portugal ranks among the European nations where public transport is least utilised.

Aveiro opens tender for flexible transport for residents

The Flexible Passenger Transport Service in Albergaria-a-Velha was created in 2020, with the objective of 'contributing to fostering the mobility of the population living in the municipality'.

In Portugal, almost 70% of people never use public transport

A report indicates that the vast majority of the Portuguese population does not rely on public transit systems.

Metro Mondego surpasses one million validations since January

The Metro Mondego system exceeded one million validations on 8 May, just over four months after commercial operations began on 1 January. According to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, the system currently has 23 stations in operation between Lousã Estação and Portagem in Coimbra. Demand has grown steadily, with April recording 281,189 validations—a 57.4% increase compared to January. The highest daily figure was reached on 6 May, with 13,410 validations. Government figures indicate usage is 20% higher than initial demand forecasts for the January-May period. The Portagem station is the busiest, with peak traffic occurring during morning and afternoon rush hours. The urban route between Portagem and Alto de São João accounts for 80% of all validations. Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, stated that these results confirm the success of this efficient, safe, and comfortable mobility solution, calling it an inspiration for the entire country.

Portugal is the southern European country with the earliest peak in ride-hailing demand during the day

Portugal sees the highest demand for TVDE services earlier in the day compared to other southern European nations.

TV RECORD EUROPA9 May

More than 55% of journeys in Porto are by car and 23% by public transport

The local authority considers that “the introduction of a free access scheme for public transport could induce changes in the population's mobility patterns”.

Lisbon opens car park in Carnide with 387 spaces

The car park will be free for all Navegante pass holders, who can then continue their journey using public transport or the GIRA bicycle network.

“Spain has things to learn from Portugal” regarding the electric vehicle charging network

Laura Gonçalves, who leads the operator PowerDot in the Iberian Peninsula, explains the company's plans, which have focused on installing charging stations in commercial spaces.

“The password in 2026 is integration. It is not acceptable for a person to have five apps to use public transport, it is demotivating”

Cristina Pinto Dias, Secretary of State for Mobility, explains why Portugal is experiencing “the most demanding decade” in the sector, how the country can combat mobility poverty, and why the integration of ticketing is the decisive step to transform the passenger experience. Listen here to the Expresso mobility podcast, Mobi Boom, hosted by Luís Costa.

Access to Sintra's historic centre restricted

According to the Sintra city council, the 'experimental mobility' measure aims to improve access, safety for residents and workers, and the visitor experience, and will remain in place until 6 April.

Access to Sintra's historic centre to have traffic restrictions from Thursday

Sintra City Council is implementing temporary traffic restrictions in the town's historic centre starting Thursday, 19 March, to improve mobility and safety. Private vehicle access will be limited, and tourist buses must park in peripheral lots at Lourel and Ramalhão. The 'Living and Visiting the Town of Sintra' operation, running until 6 April, includes enhanced signage, operational control points, and redirected public transport routes. Mayor Marco Almeida stated the measures address long-standing concerns from residents and workers, aiming to restore the quality of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Notícias ao Minuto - Última hora

The article highlights that Infraestruturas de Portugal has successfully resolved over 90% of road closures across Portugal. This indicates significant progress in restoring transportation infrastructure, improving mobility and accessibility throughout the country.

noticiasaominuto.com15 Mar

Half of Europeans do not use public transport

Portugal is in the top 3 EU countries with the lowest public transport usage rate, with 68% of people not having used public transport in 2024. Cyprus led the ranking with 85% of people.

Half of Europeans do not use public transport and the Portuguese exceed the average

At the other end of the spectrum is Luxembourg, where only 15.7% of the population did not use public transport in 2024.