Bragança Municipality expands free public transportation to all municipal lines starting December 1

The Bragança Municipality has approved a new measure to expand free public transportation to all municipal lines within the region. Starting December 1, 2026, holders of the Cartão de Munícipe will be eligible for free travel on the entirety of the municipal transit network. This decision marks a significant expansion of existing services, specifically including 12 lines that were previously excluded from free service because they were outsourced to private companies.

The expansion covers services provided by the private companies Rodonorte and Inter2000. These new lines will serve 44 different localities across 19 of the 39 parishes that make up the municipality. By including these routes, the municipality aims to ensure that residents in more remote areas have the same transit benefits as those in urban centers.

Expanding access and reducing costs

The current municipal-managed service, known as the Serviço de Transporte Urbano de Bragança (STUB), has provided free travel since the pandemic. However, the STUB previously only served 20 of the 39 parishes in the municipality. This meant that residents in many areas remained excluded from the free transit benefits provided to other citizens.

Isabel Ferreira, President of the Bragança Municipality, stated that the decision aims to eliminate inequality between residents and help families reduce daily expenses. The President of the Bragança Municipality also noted that it was an injustice that those in areas served by STUB traveled for free while others had to pay.

The current administration, which is led by the Socialist Party (PS), follows a previous municipal administration that was led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD). According to Portuguese media, the estimated annual investment for this measure is approximately €45,000.

How to access the free service

To benefit from the free transportation, residents must use the Cartão de Munícipe. This citizen card is free and remains valid for five years. According to Portuguese media, the Cartão de Munícipe can be requested online via the municipality's website or in person at the Balcão Único de Atendimento.

This expansion ensures that the transit network is more inclusive for all residents of the municipality, regardless of which specific company operates their local bus line. By integrating the outsourced lines into the free service model, the municipality provides a more uniform transportation system for the entire population.

Glossary

• Rodonorte — Rodonorte is a private company that provides transit services. It is one of the companies whose lines are being included in the municipal free transit expansion.
• parishes — Parishes are administrative divisions in Portugal. They are ruled by a system composed of an executive body and a deliberative body.
• Socialist Party (PS) — The Socialist Party (PS) is a social democratic party and a major party in Portugal. It is currently leading the administration of the Bragança Municipality.
• Social Democratic Party (PSD) — The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is a political party in Portugal. It previously led the municipal administration of Bragança.