New Public Transport Pass Launches in Oeste Region
The OesteCIM - Intermunicipal Community of Oeste has introduced the ‘M Oeste’ pass, effective from the first day of the year. This innovative pass allows users to travel free of charge between the 12 municipalities: Alcobaça, Nazaré, Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos, Peniche, Bombarral, Lourinhã, Cadaval, Torres Vedras, Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, and Sobral de Monte Agraço.
Previously, a monthly pass could cost up to €40, but the ‘M Oeste’ pass now sets this fare for public transport journeys between the Oeste region and Lisbon. This matches the price for residents in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. Additionally, it can be used on urban transport in the capital without extra costs. Previously, this pass was priced at €70 for travelers from certain municipalities and €80 for others.
Young people up to 23 years old will continue to receive free inter-regional passes, while seniors over 65 years will benefit from additional undisclosed discounts.
All residents in the 12 municipalities are entitled to a free pass, along with those who work or study in the region. A transitional period will apply for the M Pass to ensure a smooth migration from existing passes.
Oeste stands out as the first region in the country to implement free intermunicipal transport, excluding rail services via the Linha do Oeste. Pedro Folgado, the president of the Intermunicipal Council, expressed pride in this achievement, emphasizing the commitment to sustainability in public policies.
This initiative started back in 2019 when the monthly pass to Lisbon was €183.15. The current €40 fare aligns with costs for travelers from places like Cascais or Almada. Paulo Simões, the executive secretary, highlighted the significant savings for families and the importance of making mobility accessible to everyone.
The investment for this project exceeds €12 million, with €3 million allocated for the free pass initiative. It also involves increased financial support from the Environmental Fund through the PART - Program for Supporting the Reduction of Public Transport Fares.
The PART program, initiated in 2019, aims to attract passengers to public transport by providing annual financial support for fare adjustments. However, the growth in users, particularly in road transport, has not been matched by an increase in service availability.
Source: ALVORADA
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