In the Portuguese city of Porto, residents now have access to free public transport. Under the new program, city residents who hold the municipal "Porto" card will be able to use the metro, city and suburban buses, suburban trains, and the Guindais funicular free of charge.
City authorities stated that the purpose of the initiative is to encourage residents to abandon private cars in favor of public transport, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the environmental situation.
The project is planned to include river transport operating between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in the future. Additionally, city authorities have announced that they will continue to invest in the development of public transport infrastructure, including the expansion of dedicated bus lanes.
The decision has not been met with universal approval by some neighboring municipalities. They argue that because the program applies only to Porto residents, it does not take into account the interests of people who travel to the city every day for work, education, and other purposes.