Porto - Free public transport

I have been closely following the launch of the candidacies for the presidency of the Porto City Council for the local elections on October 12th, with particular interest in the ideas presented on the topic of urban mobility.

One of the few concrete proposals made so far by the PSD/CDS/IL candidate, Pedro Duarte, caught my attention: to make public transport free for all Porto residents (STCP, Metro, MetroBus, suburban trains, UNIR network and even the new river transport), with an estimated cost of 25 million euros per year, to be supported by European funds, an increase in the tourist tax and a reinforcement of the parking policy for non-residents.

At first glance, the idea seems irresistible. But will it be effective?

I remember the only time I was in a city with free public transportation, Tallinn, Estonia, in 2013. Being able to move freely, hopping on and off any form of transportation at my leisure, was a remarkable experience, a glimpse into what cities of the future could be: accessible, dynamic, sustainable. More than ten years later, I researched the impact of this measure on the city and was surprised by the conclusions:

– In the first few years, passenger numbers increased by 8%, but car traffic fell by only 3%. – There was a 5% reduction in pedestrians, and bicycle use remained stable. – In 2022, the percentage of people using public transportation to get to work fell from 40% (in 2013) to 30%, with car use increasing.

Like Tallinn, there are about 100 small and medium-sized cities around the world that have implemented free public transportation. The impacts of this measure vary depending on the city's objective and specific context, but the general consensus is as follows:

– Free public transportation alone does not significantly reduce car use. – It can discourage active mobility (walking or cycling).

– The high cost may compromise more urgent investments, such as increasing frequency, reliability, and service quality.

– Benefits should be directed to those who really need them.

Given this, it is important to ask: what is the true objective of the proposal?

If the goal is to reduce car traffic, perhaps it would be more effective to invest the planned €100 million (over the course of a legislative term) in improving services—especially STCP—and in creating conditions for integrated and sustainable urban mobility: a good transportation network, safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, and measures that discourage car use. Essentially, "sow now, reap later" rather than simply subsidizing indiscriminately with no guaranteed return.

In times of populism and demagoguery, it is essential to promote an informed public debate, with public policies guided by evidence and guided by the collective interest, towards a better future for all.