Environment Minister says price reduction of social passes is for the whole country – Current

"This project has always been a project for the whole country since the first day," said João Matos Fernandes, acknowledging that this decision was born as a "summit" between the Lisbon and Porto metropolitan areas and the government that only means that these municipalities are "more advanced in the work they have to accomplish".

The official, who was talking with journalists on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Faro-Olhão wastewater treatment plant, believes that the reduction of the social pass rate will undoubtedly be very important to increase the income of the family. have an "obvious environmental consequence".

On Tuesday, Parliament approved the amendment proposed by the PCP to the state budget for 2019, which increases the support budget intended to reduce the price of social passes by 21 million euros. to 104 million euros.

Funding for the Public Transport Rate Reduction Support (PART) program for 2019 will be available as of April 1, with rates set by the transportation authorities in each metropolitan and inter-municipal region.

The metropolitan regions and municipalities that make up the intermunicipal communes will be responsible for managing the funds. At least 60% of the allocated amount should be used to reduce tariffs, and can even reach 100% for this purpose, explained the manager. Minister of the Environment.

The remaining 40% can be used to improve, increase the supply or create better access to the public transport network, either by stop interventions or by creating applications containing information on transport, illustrated João Matos Fernandes.

The minister described as "worrying" the situation in the Lisbon agglomeration, in which there are no families of three or more "who have a pass" because 39 It is cheaper to drive a car than to use public transport.

The Faro-Olhão wastewater treatment plant, inaugurated today, represents an investment of more than 20 million euros and will serve a population of about 115,000 inhabitants in the municipalities of Faro, Olhão and São Brás de Alportel.