In statements, Luís Cabaço Martins, president of the National Association of Heavy Passenger Road Transport Operators (ANTROP), expressed concerns about the payment system, describing it as “complex, lengthy, and bureaucratic,” and stated that operators “do not receive” the money for services already provided.
The state owes approximately 60 million euros to road transport operators, related to the reimbursement of free fares offered to young individuals up to 23 years old and veterans, according to a report confirmed by the ANTROP president.
ANTROP reported delays in reimbursement, with young people’s passes delayed by up to 10 months and veterans’ by up to two years.
“Operators are not receiving the payments. The system is complex, slow, and bureaucratic,” complained Luís Cabaço Martins, noting that the situation is becoming unsustainable, particularly for small and medium-sized interior companies.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing clarified that, to date, the free passes for July have been paid, provided operators and transport authorities reported them on time.
Faced with this response, the ANTROP president insisted that the funds have not reached the operators and argued for a legal change to streamline the reimbursement process.
“The debt exists because we haven’t received the money. If it’s not with the government anymore, we don’t know if it’s with the municipalities or somewhere else,” he said.
Luís Cabaço Martins advocated for the government to review the law, making it more efficient with a maximum processing time of one month, and implement an account payment mechanism, stressing that “operators are not requesting early payments, solely what is owed.”
“The government gains political advantage and the population benefits from the free passes, but operators lose revenue. If this persists, we must reconsider the free pass offering,” he warned.
ANTROP has engaged with the Mobility and Transport Institute (IMT), the Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT), and various parliamentary groups to seek a resolution.
“This law has been in place for two years. It’s time to rectify the problems and settle outstanding payments. Operators have fulfilled their obligations. The state must do the same,” he concluded.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing is responsible for compensating free passes for young people up to 23 years old, while the Ministry of Defense covers veterans of the Ultramar War.
