Questioned about the restrictions taking effect today on ‘tuk-tuks’, independent mayor Rui Moreira stated that entrepreneurs have “every right to have concerns”, but emphasized that the executive has been mandated to “regulate the city”.
“In an ideal world for these private operators, the municipality of Porto wouldn’t even exist, meaning any activity could be developed freely”, he remarked on the sidelines of the executive’s private meeting.
Highlighting the “very broad consensus” among political forces on the need to regulate certain activities, such as ‘tuk-tuks’, Rui Moreira expressed regret over “not being able to please everyone”.
“What we are doing is telling ‘tuk-tuks’ that there are areas of the city where they can operate and areas where, given the pressure any Porto resident feels, they cannot operate,” he added.
As of today, ‘tuk-tuks’ are no longer permitted to circulate in Largo dos Loios, on the streets of Trindade Coelho, Mouzinho da Silveira, Ribeira Negra, Infante D. Henrique, Fernandes Tomás, and Formosa, as well as in Praça de Almeida Garrett and the Ribeira Tunnel.
Following the announcement, 12 ‘tuk-tuk’ companies stated they would file an injunction against the restrictions on the circulation of tricycles and quadricycles.
Entrepreneurs have also considered using other types of vehicles in their operations, such as nine-seater vans or jeeps, even though the experience for tourists would not be the same as with ‘tuk-tuks’.
Rui Moreira, who had already commented on the potential legal action on Thursday, reiterated that “any interested citizen has the right to resort to judicial means to attempt to suspend or reverse the municipality’s decisions.”
The mayor assured, however, that this new measure is based on “the path indicated in the previous ruling,” referring to the decision of the Porto Administrative and Fiscal Court (TAF), dated January.
“We follow what is pointed out to us by judges, but naturally, if a suspension of this measure arises, the municipality of Porto will comply”, he stated.
On January 29, Rui Moreira announced the suspension of restrictions on tourist vehicles and occasional service buses in Porto’s historic center that had been implemented in October, following a decision by the Porto Administrative and Fiscal Court (TAF).
The issue stemmed from the pilot project restricting the traffic of tourist vehicles, which began on October 1, 2024, limiting the circulation of tourist vehicles in Porto’s downtown and center.
The Porto TAF accepted the injunction filed by 12 tourism operators against the municipality of Porto, determining the suspension of restrictions in the historic center for these companies.
