Portuguese municipalities receive funding to bolster public transport capacity

Public transport operators were forced to make severe cuts during the first months of the pandemic and now need aid in getting back to normal

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact not only on how we view and use our cities’ public transport networks but also on how they function. With strict social distancing measures in place for months with authorities’ active discouragement of all kinds of travel, the service that has so far been essential for any urban area has suffered tremendously.

That is why municipalities in Portugal are set to receive millions of euros in funding in order to allow their public transport operators to salvage their operations and return to normal as soon as possible.

Putting an end to the cuts and moving onto better times

One of the first things that carriers had to do was cut down on their operations and capacity. With a drastically reduced need for travel also came reduced ticket sales, which in turn caused significant economic damage to the operators.

Now with things coming back to normal, the aid that will be provided by the Portuguese government is meant to help companies rebuild their capacity and once again be able to offer quality services to citizens.

That will be achieved through a supplementary budget proposal worth 94 million euros which will come from the country’s Environmental Fund. The funding comes on top of the already proposed increases in spending on transport highlighted in Portugal’s 2020 State Budget proposal that previews 129.7 million euros, an increase of 25% compared to previous years.

Public transport is an essential part of any city’s infrastructure as it not only allows for many citizens to freely travel without using their personal cars but also has a great impact on the environment. By supporting and promoting public transportation alternatives, central and local authorities in Portugal are doing a great service not only to their constituents but also to everyone committed to fighting climate change.