Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, has taken a decisive step toward creating a more liveable urban environment by introducing free public transport for local residents. This measure, which covers the entire metropolitan area, is more than just a gift to the public; it is part of a major strategy to tackle chronic traffic congestion and give the streets back to the people.
Which services are now free?
According to the municipal council's decision, free travel applies to the entire Andante transport network. This includes the following:
- the Porto Metro;
- STCP and Unir network buses;
- urban trains;
- trams;
- and ferries for the future crossing between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
It is important to note that this new measure is available exclusively to registered residents of the municipality. Tourists and visitors will still be required to pay for their travel as they have in the past.
The cost and funding strategy
Implementing this large-scale program will cost the city treasury between ‣20 million and ‣25 million annually. To cover these expenses without straining the budget, the Mayor of Porto is considering raising the tourist tax to ‣4, bringing it in line with the rate currently charged in Lisbon.
Breaking the car dependency
The need for such radical action is driven by a harsh reality: Porto, like many major European cities, is suffocating under heavy traffic. According to the newspaper Jornal Pblico, 56% of residents still prefer their private vehicles, shunning public transport options.
City authorities hope that eliminating fares will serve as a powerful incentive to change commuting habits and make getting around the city and its suburbs far more efficient.
“Not a magic bullet”
The current Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte—who previously served as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in Lus Montenegro’s government and won the last local elections leading a PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition—made free transport a key campaign promise but warns against expecting instant miracles.
Nevertheless, the city is actively preparing for an influx of passengers and working to improve service quality. While Porto currently has 16 kilometers of dedicated bus lanes, this will increase to 22 kilometers by the end of the year, allowing public transport to bypass congestion and stick to a reliable schedule.
A paradigm shift: From cars to people
The primary goal for authorities is to fundamentally transform the approach to urban mobility.
‘People need to experience a paradigm shift: private transportation should become a secondary option, while public transit becomes the primary way to move around the city,’ Pedro Duarte emphasized. ‘Once public transport becomes faster, more comfortable, and more reliable than a private car, people will change their habits.’
