“We were a bit surprised. This back-and-forth decision-making is unhealthy and undermines the credibility of the metrobus. I fear today’s decision, following last week’s decisions and other candidates’ precautionary measures, could lead to the total discredit of the metrobus, leaving people tired of that project,” he noted.
The candidate reacted to the development after the transport company’s administration announced what the Livre party considers “an important project for Avenida da Boavista.”
“It has to be operational as soon as possible in the first phase, and we agree that the second phase should be re-evaluated, not on a ‘yes or no’ basis, because for us it has to be done, but regarding its route, to preserve the trees and ensure there is still a bike lane on Avenida da Boavista,” he declared.
The suspension, which emerged at the start “of the new administration’s term,” led by Emídio Gomes, appointed by the government, seems to the party “a bit senseless, and a bit of a political maneuver.”
“Above all, it is irresponsible because it undermines the credibility of a fundamental project for mobility in that part of the city,” he stated.
Metro do Porto has decided to make a “temporary technical stop” on the second phase of the metrobus construction, which began on September 22, the company announced today after recent opposition.
The second phase of the metrobus construction began on September 22, in the dedicated Bus lane of Avenida da Boavista, between Rua Jorge Reinel (near Colégio do Rosário) and Avenida do Dr. Antunes Guimarães.
The metrobus is planned to connect Casa da Música to Praça do Império (in 12 minutes) and Anémona (in 17), with hydrogen-powered buses visually similar to conventional metro trains, built for 29.5 million euros, including the fueling infrastructure.
The vehicles have already arrived, and the construction of the first phase is complete, but the service is not yet operational. The channel on Avenida da Boavista is currently used by non-motorized mobility users, such as cyclists and scooter riders.
Candidates for Porto City Council include Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – NC/PPM coalition), Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition), Sérgio Aires (BE), current vice-president Filipe Araújo (Fazer à Porto – independent), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP), and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (PLS).
The current executive consists of a majority of six members from Rui Moreira’s movement and an independent councilor, with the remaining members being two from PS, two from PSD, one from CDU, and one from BE.
The local elections will take place on October 12.
