The goal is to promote a safer, more accessible and sustainable celebration, encouraging the reduction of the use of individual vehicles and the carbon footprint in the urban centre. The initiative takes on particular relevance at the beginning of the year in which Guimarães assumes the title of European Green Capital.
The free bus transport service will be provided by GUIMABUS, with schedules and routes adapted to the festive night. Six lines will be available, operating between 9pm on December 31 and 3am on January 1:
1. Taipas/Ponte, via BR 101, with departures and arrivals at Avenida São Gonçalo (near the Triângulo Shopping Center);
2. S. Torcato, via BR 207-4, with departures and arrivals at Avenida São Gonçalo (near the Triângulo Shopping Center);
3. Moreira de Cónegos (Church)/Nespereira, via EN 105, with departures and arrivals at Campo da Feira;
4. Serzedelo/Pevidém, via BR 310, with departures and arrivals at Avenida São Gonçalo (near the Triângulo Shopping Center);
5. Ronfe/Brito (passing through the Brito Fair), via BR 206, with departures and arrivals at Avenida São Gonçalo (near the Triângulo Shopping Center);
6. Urgezes/Abação/Tabuadelo/Pinheiro, via the route of Guimabus Line 014, with departures and arrivals at Campo da Feira.
As a complement, the Vitrus Ambiente Flexible Transport service (Vitrusbus) will have extended hours until 2:00am on January 1st. In addition, the Pisca – Creixomil Provisional Circuit will be interrupted on December 31st, between 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM.
These measures aim to facilitate access to the city, promote the use of peripheral parking lots, and reduce car traffic in the urban centre on a night when a high influx of people is expected.
For Ricardo Araújo, mayor of Guimarães, this is “a measure aligned with the municipality’s sustainable mobility strategy. Guaranteeing free public transport alternatives on a night of high traffic like New Year’s Eve is a concrete way to promote more sustainable choices and reinforce road safety. At the same time, it allows us to ensure that everyone can participate in the celebrations in a responsible and environmentally conscious way,” he emphasizes.