Portugal Passe Social + Renamed and Coverage Expanded Nationwide

The Green Rail Pass, priced at 20 euros, will come into effect on October 21. According to a government document set to be presented this Friday afternoon, the pass is expected to benefit around 29.9 million passengers.

Green Mobility Package

The Government is set to approve the Green Rail Pass as part of the 13 measures outlined in the Green Mobility Package this Friday. The package aims to enhance the mobility of both passengers and goods.

The Government provided an example to illustrate the savings: a family of three (two adults and one young person) living in Lisbon and traveling to Braga once a month for the weekend could save 946 euros annually with the Green Rail Pass, compared to purchasing occasional CP tickets.

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The savings increase to 1,056 euros per year when compared to using a car for the same trips. A CP document on Thursday indicates that using the Green Rail Pass, priced at 20 euros per month, for Intercidades trains requires passengers to reserve a seat at least 24 hours in advance. This reservation must be made at CP ticket offices or vending machines in Lisbon.

Reservation and Usage Details

The same document states:

Travel reservations for Intercidades will soon be available at the online ticket office and on the CP App.

Furthermore, this pass is not valid on Alfa Pendular and Internacional Celta services, nor in first class on Intercidades and InterRegional services. Still regarding the Intercidades service, it is possible to reserve a seat, free of charge, for a maximum of two separate trips per day.

This pass costs 20 euros for 30 consecutive days of use. You can also purchase the pass for 60 days at 40 euros or for 90 days at 60 euros. Load the pass onto the CP Card, which costs six euros (or three euros for students), according to the carrier’s website.

Portugal Passe Social + Conditions and Limitations

Additionally, anyone who already has a CP Card can use it to top up their Green Rail Pass, as long as it is valid. The document further states:

The holder of an unloaded pass or a customer with a loaded pass who does not make a reservation for the Intercidades train is considered a customer without a travel ticket, subject to the application of a fine.

Another important detail is that you cannot exchange or refund this pass. The document revealed:

In the event of cancellation of the train or for requests for refund and compensation for delay, for reasons attributable to CP, the conditions in force for CP passes and subscriptions must be consulted.

In August, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced at the Festa do Pontal, in Quarteira, Faro district, the introduction of a 20-euro monthly rail pass. This pass will grant access to all urban, regional, inter-regional, and intercity trains.

The prime minister aims to promote the use of sustainable transportation methods that minimize environmental impact by including the pass in an upcoming approved mobility plan.

Government Compensation for Revenue Losses

The CP Workers’ Commission (CT) expressed concerns that the 20 euro monthly rail pass could lead to a financial disaster for the transport company, highlighting a potential inability to meet the expected rise in demand.

The State will compensate CP – Comboios de Portugal with 18.9 million euros annually through a public service contract to offset the revenue losses from the 20-euro Green Rail Pass. This information comes from a government document presented this Friday.

The government aims to address the financial impact caused by the introduction of the 20-euro monthly pass, which the Council of Ministers will approve during its meeting in Entroncamento.

Portugal Passe Social + Renamed to Circula.pt and Expands Coverage

The Government will approve the extension of the Social Pass + today. This extension will apply to the entire mainland, long-term unemployed individuals, and citizens with a disability of 60% or greater. Additionally, the Government will change the name to “Passe Circula.pt”.

According to a document that will be presented by the Government this afternoon, the new Circula.pt pass will cost 17 million euros per year. It will cover approximately 100,000 people, which is 2.5 times more citizens than the current Passe Social +.

Previously, this pass only covered the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto. It was available to citizens entitled to the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, Social Integration Income, retirees, pensioners, unemployed individuals, and families with an average monthly income of up to 1.2 times the social support index (IAS). It offered a 50% discount on the monthly pass for Level A recipients and a 25% discount for Level B recipients.

Savings for Residents

According to examples provided by the Government, this measure will enable residents to save up to 168 euros annually on the purchase of TUB 2 crowns in Braga. In Coimbra, residents can save up to 180 euros per year on SMTUC tickets.

This initiative is part of the 13 measures in the Green Mobility Package, which the Government will approve this Friday to enhance the mobility of both passengers and goods.

Luís Montenegro’s administration will present eight measures for passenger transport, involving a total investment of 115 million euros by 2025. Additionally, the government plans five measures for goods transport, with an investment of 55 million euros.