“If the courts decide otherwise, we will find another way to prevent what we believe is an abusive and excessive use of a resource that belongs to all of us, in this case, the public space,” stated Rui Moreira to journalists today.
The mayor was speaking at the headquarters of the Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP) after sub-region mayors met with the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, to discuss future solutions for the VCI (Circular Regional Inner de Porto).
However, Rui Moreira also mentioned that if the courts rule against the municipality, he would comply with the courts – “who are the ones in charge” – but would request “the next government to make a legislative change that is long overdue, to empower municipalities with more competencies in traffic regulation.”
“I will advocate until the last moment so that the city of Porto, through its representative bodies – and this is a highly consensual issue among all political forces in the city of Porto – can manage the public space,” he asserted.
According to Rui Moreira, “the appropriation of public space by private agents (…) does not fit” into his vision of public space.
“If it weren’t so, any day now, where we are standing, I could decide to set up a tent to sell something. Public space is public space,” he emphasized.
Twelve ‘tuk-tuk’ companies are set to file an injunction against the announced restrictions on the circulation of tricycles and quadricycles by the Porto City Council, admitting they might operate with vehicles of other types, according to a spokesperson.
“We will proceed, once again, with legal action, and we have noted, as we have previously in the media, that quadricycles and tricycles are not just ‘tuk-tuks’; they include the microcars of the CTT (postal service) or, for example, older individuals who do not have a driving license for light vehicles,” explained Alex Ramos.
The entrepreneurs are also considering using other types of vehicles in their endeavors, such as nine-seater vans or SUVs, even if the tourist experience is not the same as with ‘tuk-tuks’.
The measure by the Porto City Council, effective from Monday, covers “Largo dos Loios, Trindade Coelho Street, Mouzinho da Silveira Street, Ribeira Negra Street, Infante D. Henrique Street, Fernandes Tomás Street and Formosa Street, as well as Praça de Almeida Garrett and the Ribeira Tunnel” in the historic center.
“The aim is to preserve the efficiency of urban mobility, ensuring compatibility between tourism, the quality of life of city residents and workers, and the operation of public transport and emergency services,” stated the municipality.
On January 29, Rui Moreira announced the suspension of the restriction on tourist vehicles and occasional service buses in the historic center of Porto, which had been implemented in October, following a decision by the Porto Administrative and Fiscal Tribunal (TAF).
The matter involved a pilot project to restrict tourist vehicle traffic that began on October 1, 2024, limiting the circulation of tourist vehicles in the downtown and center of Porto.
The Porto Administrative and Fiscal Tribunal accepted the injunction filed by 12 tour operators against the Porto municipality, determining the suspension of restrictions in the historic center for these companies.
