[5.4] Better without Cars

“Almada, Better without Cars” Campaign
[Domain: Travel Awareness]

In the “Better without Cars” Campaign drivers were voluntarily encouraged to leave their cars at home one fixed day per week – Thursdays in the case of Almada. In return, they were given several incentives, which ranged from special public transport tickets with a reduced price, to discounts for cultural and sporting activities, as well as for several shops in Almada. Eligible participants included all residents of the Municipality of Almada as well as non-residents who worked within the Municipality.

The project has been implemented throughout the entire Municipality of Almada, that occupies an area of 72 km2 with 160 000 inhabitants. 13 registration offices have been created within the Municipality, namely in the Municipal Environmental House, in each of the 11 parishes and in the Municipal Sports Complex, to ensure a good geographic coverage of the area of implementation of the project. All the public transport operators (bus, train and boat) and one of the two taxi associations of Almada have been involved and offer reduced fares on Thursdays, the day of the campaign.

These reductions range from 10 to 30% of the normal ticket price. The Municipality has offered reduced prices for access to physical and sport activities in the Municipal Sports Complex, as well as for cultural activities and books; local clubs and associations have offered reduced prices for their activities (cinema, sailing school, sports, theatre); thirteen shops in Almada offered discounts between 7 and 20% for their products; one bank group has also joined the campaign offering reduced prices for their services.