Coimbra adjusts traffic to prioritize public transport

Coimbra’s city council assessed the first day of changes to traffic flow in the city center, expanding the metrobus system and restricting general vehicle access to certain streets.

Ricardo Lino, a city council member, reported positive feedback from citizens regarding the changes, specifically the closure of Rua da Sofia to regular traffic. The council identified some morning congestion near Praça da República and on streets like Rua de Aveiro and Rua de Saragoça, expecting similar issues later in the day.

Lino stated they will adjust traffic lights at Praça da República and near the Manutenção Militar to improve flow. Officials plan to implement an automatic license plate reading system next week to control access to restricted streets, starting with Rua da Sofia and the central avenue, mirroring a system already installed but not yet active on Rua Ferreira Borges and other streets in the Baixinha district. The city is currently collecting license plate information for local businesses and residents.

The metrobus now reaches Coimbra-B station and Praça da República, requiring adjustments to over 20 urban bus routes, and the changes are expected to affect 14% of the municipal transport company’s daily passengers.