PART program (Program of Support to Fare Reduction in Public Transport) in Coimbra Region
About this good practice
PART is a financing program for transport authorities to implement and develop measures to support fare reduction in public collective passenger transport systems, as well as to increase service supply and network expansion. There are a set of existing typologies for the application of the Program, namely
(a) Support for fare reduction for all users;
b) Support for tariff reduction or free tariffs for specific target groups, including disabled people, with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 60%, certified by Medical Certificate of Multipurpose Disability;
c) Support to the creation of "family passes";
d) Support to tariff changes resulting from the redesign of transport networks and changes in tariff systems.
Thus, the CIM RC has proceeded with the implementation of PART, which in the year 2022 consists of:
- The fare reduction of 30% across the board to all users in passenger rail services for 2022, subsidized by kilometer and in the following transport titles: "monthly line subscription/passes" and "CP Youth Subscription";
- The fare reductions of 30% across the board for all users, in road services for inter-regional lines shared with CIM Região de Leiria (monthly subscription / line passes) and CIM Viseu Dão Lafões (monthly subscription / line passes).
Resources needed
It is necessary the definition of the measures to be implemented under the Program and proceed with the due "protocols" with the service operators. In turn, the public service operators must update their ticketing systems.
In the year 2021 meant a cost of 774,680 euros.
Evidence of success
In the first year of PART implementation in Coimbra Region, there was an increase in demand for public transport services of around 25%. However, there was a change due to the Pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus. Throughout the pandemic were determined a set of restrictions on the exercise of activities and mobility of citizens. However, to date, there has been an increase in demand of approximately 10% compared to the first half of 2022.
Potential for learning or transfer
The fact that the reduction of public transport tickets is done automatically, without the need to fill out forms to benefit from the fare reduction, the program attracts the population to use public transport, instead of individual transport.