Coimbra approves scooter regulations and bus network overhaul ahead of metrobus launch

Coimbra’s municipal council approved a series of measures on Monday, including a concession process for electric scooter companies and a regulation to govern their use, as the city seeks to address unregulated shared mobility services. President Ana Abrunhosa, of the Avançar Coimbra coalition (PS, Livre and PAN), stated that the city currently lacks the conditions for shared scooters and that the new framework will require operators to pay fees, with revenues reinvested in infrastructure such as parking .

The council also approved a reorganization of over 20 bus lines operated by the Serviços Municipalizados dos Transportes Urbanos de Coimbra (SMTUC) to accommodate the upcoming “metrobus” service and traffic changes in the Baixa district. The adjustments, passed with support from the ruling coalition and opposition from Juntos Somos Coimbra, will significantly reduce through-traffic on key streets like Rua da Sofia and Olímpio Nicolau Fernandes, redirecting vehicles to alternative routes. SMTUC estimates 14% of its daily passengers will be affected .

In a separate decision, the council unanimously approved contracts with nine local parish councils to expand on-site meal preparation to 24 schools, serving approximately 923 students in the next academic year. Vice President Miguel Antunes, who oversees education, said the initiative represents a structural shift in the municipality’s school meal strategy, with contracts valued at nearly €1 million. A temporary €906,000 direct adjustment with ICA was also approved to ensure meal services continue pending final fiscal oversight .

Abrunhosa also acknowledged ongoing waste collection deficiencies in Coimbra, with a municipal program proposed by the IL party to reform bulky waste services. She admitted that waste remains a persistent issue .

Opposition vereadora Ana Bastos criticized the bus network changes, arguing that the transformation lacks public consultation and could create chaos. She called for stricter rules for scooter operators, including mandatory docking stations and expanded no-parking zones, measures she said could be implemented immediately without municipal investment .