Lisbon Grants Carris Authority to Police Bus Lanes and Issue Fines – Here's What It Means for Commuters

Lisbon City Council Delegates Bus Lane Enforcement to Carris

The Lisbon City Council has officially delegated enforcement powers to the municipal company Carris, allowing it to monitor and penalize misuse of bus lanes and improper parking at transport stops and roadways. This decision, made during a private executive meeting, empowers Carris to issue fines and reports for traffic violations.

Key Details of the Delegation

• The proposal, led by Deputy Mayor Filipe Anacoreta Correia (CDS-PP), responsible for Mobility, was approved with votes from PSD/CDS-PP, PS, Livre, Cidadãos Por Lisboa, and BE. Only the PCP voted against it, citing concerns over the plan's feasibility and lack of critical evaluation.
• Carris is now authorized to enforce compliance with the Highway Code, Traffic Signaling Regulations, and other municipal norms related to road circulation in reserved lanes, commonly known as bus corridors.
• In cases of infractions, Carris can issue official reports and forward them to the Lisbon City Council or the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR).
• The council has recognized Carris personnel as duly qualified for inspection duties and allows the use of automatic surveillance systems, such as license plate detection equipment, pending ANSR accreditation.

Background and Legal Framework

This delegation is in line with existing laws and Carris's statutes, which were amended in 2019 to allow for such future powers. Previously, enforcement was handled in collaboration with the Municipal Police and EMEL, the parking management company.

Opposition and Concerns

The PCP expressed doubts during the discussion, arguing that the proposal lacked convincing answers and did not adequately assess the experience from a similar initiative in Porto. They highlighted that while fines revenue increased in Porto, issues like lane blockages persisted. Additionally, the PCP raised concerns about the potential strain on Carris's resources and the dispersion of enforcement responsibilities among multiple entities, including EMEL and the Municipal Police.

Workers' representatives at Carris have also criticized the move, fearing it will exacerbate existing resource shortages and overburden employees.