The executive committee has unanimously approved a proposal by Vice President Gonçalo Reis (PSD) to submit an addendum to the existing “free public transportation” agreement, targeting “youth and individuals over 65 with fiscal residence in Lisbon,” to the Municipal Assembly.
Mayor Carlos Moedas (PSD) stated that “Lisbon is one of the few cities in Europe with free public transportation,” emphasizing that the initiative aims to signal a strong commitment to “decarbonizing the city, climate transition, improving air quality, and reducing automotive traffic.”
“This is an extremely important proposal, which has already resulted in a significant increase in public transport usage among young and elderly residents,” he added.
In 2022, during Carlos Moedas’ first term, in collaboration with the State and the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, the municipality implemented free access to the Navegante Urbano 3.ª Idade and youth transportation passes for residents with a fiscal address in Lisbon.
“Free transportation for those over 65, in effect since July 2022, has been a decisive tool for promoting social cohesion and enhancing the inclusion of the senior population in the city’s economic, social, and cultural life, by mitigating barriers to essential services, healthcare, cultural facilities, and social support networks,” the proposal reads.
The initiative also contributes to “promoting sustainable mobility” and the “municipal goals on climate transition, air quality, and reducing car traffic by encouraging a modal shift from individual transportation to the urban and metropolitan public transport network.”
“The accumulated experience from 2022 to 2025 shows significant and stable adoption by beneficiaries over 65, indicating a clearly positive social impact,” the document notes, adding that the national and metropolitan expansion of free access for youth has eliminated the need for the municipality to maintain this benefit.
In this context, “there are still substantial public interest reasons for maintaining free access for those over 65,” and it is “advisable to renew and stabilize this measure for the period from 2026 to 2029,” the proposal states.
The mayor is authorized to liaise with the State for agreement amendments, within an annual financial limit of 8.5 million euros, including VAT, until 2029, and to sign the addendum with the Lisbon Metropolitan Transport (TML).
On April 21, 2022, the Lisbon City Council unanimously approved the proposal for free public transport in the city until December 31, 2025, accommodating an annual expense of up to 14.9 million euros.
Socialist councilors suggested expanding the free public transport policy to include all city residents, effective January 1, 2027. However, this proposal was rejected despite support from PS, PCP, Livre, and BE parties.
“The choice for universal free access for residents is supported by various European examples, such as Tallinn, Dunkerque, Aubagne, Calais, and Niort, where such policy implementation resulted in a significant demand increase, improved air quality, reduced car traffic, and strengthened social cohesion,” the proposal argues.
Councilor Alexandra Leitão, as per her advisory, argued in the committee’s private meeting that a “more comprehensive measure has exponentially greater potential for modal shift and emissions reduction, aligning better with the city’s carbon neutrality goals.”
“Costs should be analyzed within the framework of a multi-annual strategy, aligned with municipal revenues, fare compensations, and environmental and social gains,” she added as a socialist.
