25% increase in public transport use driven by mobility measures
The number of passengers on public transport increased by 25 per cent in 2024, as a result of measures such as free travel for young students and the elderly, as well as the creation of the Siga network with new concessions. The Regional Secretary for Equipment and Infrastructure, Pedro Fino, considers this growth to be positive, but challenging, given the challenges of urban mobility.
During the “Territory and Urban Mobility” conference organised by ACIF, Pedro Fino stressed that sustainable mobility is essential for social inclusion, economic efficiency and environmental preservation. He defended the need for investment in quality public transport, soft mobility and public spaces that facilitate pedestrian traffic.
He pointed out that mobility has been a priority for the executive, mentioning the creation of the Institute for Mobility and Transport and the commitment to upgrading regional roads. Among the projects underway is the new road that will link the Amparo area to the University Hospital of Madeira.
Other initiatives include support for the scrapping of old vehicles, provided they are replaced by 100 per cent electric vehicles, with a budget of 11.5 million euros from the PRR. There are also plans to regulate urban car parks, especially rent-a-cars, and revise the TVDE law to limit their massification.
