Municipality designs clever mobility for a city of the future

The dialogue between mobility, technology, transport, logistics and clever cities is under discussion during the 5th Edition of MOBLAB – Congresso Anual da Mobilidade Inteligente, which takes place, today and tomorrow, at Museu do Carro Elétrico.

Recalling that the European Union’s strategy, in this context, has as its goal the decarbonization of transport throughout the European space, by 2050, the Mayor of Porto left, at the opening session of the MOBLAB Congress, a guarantee: “In the Municipality of Porto, the future involves clean, innovative and inclusive mobility and transport policies”.

Rui Moreira, who was accompanied by the Head of the Board of Directors of Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP), Cristina Pimental, recalled that when the company was intermunicipalized, in 2021, was included “decarbonization as a guiding principle of STCP’s new management model”, a company that, this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. “The operating fleet is increasingly efficient, in economic and environmental terms, and has significantly reduced carbon emission. By the end of this decade, we aim to achieve 40% decarbonization of the STCP fleet”, he stressed.

In articulation with the company, the Municipality of Porto has also invested in the implementation of a cohesive and sustainable transport policy, based on a structured public transports network with high capacity. “We have actively participated in the restructuring of transport supply and networks through the construction and implementation of road terminals and public transport interfaces, such as the new Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã, which will soon start operating”, added the mayor.

“The future passes by clean mobility and transport policies”

Other projects, like the “clever” corridor of high quality buses on Avenida Fernão de Magalhães or the free public transportation for up to 18 years old, recently renewed until 2025, were mentioned by the mayor, revealing that, in terms of public transports, “a flexible public transport system will be designed, with the aim of improving mobility conditions in places with low density of public transport, promoting social and territorial cohesion”.

In order to implement all these additional measures, according to Rui Moreira, “a Transport Mobility Plan for the City” will be designed, which include better parking management, restriction of car access to the city centre, investment in deterrent parks near the interfaces or creation of a network of nearby car parks exclusively for residents. All these measures will be complemented either by a strong focus on soft modes or by the development of cycling routes.

“Let us have no doubts: in the Municipality of Porto, the future involves clean, innovative, and inclusive mobility and transport policies. It is not a peaceful, painless transition, but we are strongly committed in this area”, he added.

The MOBLAB Congress brings together for two days, experts in the fields of energy, transport, technology, logistics, innovation, and clever cities.