A candidate has advocated for the establishment of a municipal company that would protect all acquired rights of employees. “Therefore, a municipal company must plan for careers, have an investment plan, and include training,” she emphasized.
Following a meeting with the board of the Municipal Services and Urban Transport of Coimbra (SMTUC), the candidate told the Lusa agency that the creation of a municipal company would allow for more valued careers and higher pay for the workers, promising that workers’ rights would be protected whether they remain with the City Council or transition to the new model.
“The Avançar Coimbra coalition [PS, Livre, and PAN] will ensure that, in the municipal company, equal work will receive equal pay. Workers who wish to maintain their link [with the Coimbra Council] can do so but will be seconded for public interest to the municipal company and will earn the company’s salaries,” she clarified.
Regarding the SMTUC’s fleet, the former Minister of Territorial Cohesion considered that upon forming a municipal company, it is necessary “to ensure the fleet is renewed, which will also impact maintenance.”
“There is a fleet of about 170 buses, with 45 to 50 systematically stopped, and the acquisition of electric vehicles is insufficient. A purchase of diesel vehicles is planned for the year, and it seems to me that, in terms of investment planning, this needs to be reinforced,” she argued.
Ana Abrunhosa stated that renewing the fleet would enable bus maintenance to be carried out by “a preventive team,” with heavier interventions outsourced.
“This entire process involves worker agreements and must be done through dialogue with the workers,” she asserted.
Concerning routes, Ana Abrunhosa argued they should be reconsidered following “a thorough study.”
“We have with us a young man, Tomás, the son of an SMTUC driver, who conducted a study showing it is possible to reduce from 100 buses to 70, from 100 routes to 70, while maintaining a higher level of coverage with more schedules. The Metrobus will also free up resources, which then must be directed to parishes without municipal transport,” she said.
According to the head of the PS-led coalition list for Coimbra’s City Council, it is essential “to continue having SMTUC” that are “reliable and of quality,” and offer “attractive careers, as there is a significant lack of professionals.”
Besides Ana Abrunhosa, candidates include current Mayor José Manuel Silva from the Juntos Somos Coimbra coalition (PSD/IL/CDS/NC/PPM/V/MPT), Francisco Queirós from CDU (PCP/PEV coalition), former deputy José Manuel Pureza from the Bloco de Esquerda, Maria Lencastre Portugal from Chega, Sancho Antunes from ADN, and Tiago Martins from Nova Direita.
The current executive comprises six members from the Juntos Somos Coimbra coalition, four from the PS, and one from the CDU.
The municipal elections take place on October 12.
