During the opening of the Castilla-La Mancha Craft Fair at Largo Amor de Perdição, the mayor expressed his approval of a petition announced by the first signatory and PSD/CDS candidate for Porto City Hall, Pedro Duarte. The petition urges a reconsideration before advancing with the second phase of construction, as it involves an “irreversible change” to the area of Avenida da Boavista where it is planned to be implemented.
“This aligns exactly with what we have consistently emphasized to the Porto Metro: a dedicated lane in the center is unjustified, as it would eliminate one of the most used bike lanes, popular not only for cycling but also for walking. It seems perfectly reasonable to me,” added Rui Moreira.
In this context, the independent mayor continued, noting that launching the petition seems “very wise,” advocating for “the population, whether candidates or otherwise, to get involved in this matter.”
“Naturally, this is a time of municipal candidacies, and thus, it is crucial that this topic be debated in the city,” he insisted.
When questioned by Lusa about the position of independent candidate for Porto City Hall, Nuno Cardoso, who found Pedro Duarte’s gesture “at the very least disconcerting” and “an exercise in contradiction,” arguing that “the minister, who until now never spoke publicly about the project’s progress—even as the first phase had been ongoing for years—now wakes up to create a petition against his own government,” Rui Moreira was quick to remind that this project is not from this Government.
“If people are mobilizing now during the election campaign, that’s great. Whether they are in conflict with the Government or not, I don’t understand—it’s not my place to analyze. I am the mayor and that is not my role. I see this more as a movement of citizenship, but elections are also for this purpose,” he said.
Recalling that he is at the end of his final term, Rui Moreira stated that it is “good for whoever steps up to speak their mind about the city and succeed in mobilizing, especially now when people are more attentive to the citizens’ will.”
In the same spirit, the mayor reiterated criticisms towards the Metro do Porto administration, noting that the experimental vehicle promised to be circulating on the metrobus channel at the beginning of May has not yet been seen.
“To reassure the population, it made more sense to understand how it works and only then start the second phase,” stressed the mayor, who, on the same topic, made another criticism regarding the hydrogen fueling of future buses.
According to Rui Moreira, the hydrogen production plant being constructed on the premises of the Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP) “will not be ready for the next 10 months, essentially only ready for serious discussion next year,” which will require the “green energy for these buses to probably come from Sines, by land.”
“Also for this reason, it seems to us it would make perfect sense to put the first phase in operation, correct what needs to be corrected, provide training for the STCP staff who will operate those buses, and once it reaches cruising speed, then indeed start the second phase,” he insisted.
