Pedro Duarte proposes tolls on Porto’s VCI and free A41 (CREP)

Pedro Duarte, the PSD candidate for the presidency of Porto City Council, described the VCI (Via de Cintura Interna) as a “very complicated problem” and even called it a “cancer in the middle of the city” in an interview with Jornal de Notícias.

Pedro Duarte’s proposal for tolls on the VCI

Duarte argues that the answer is to introduce tolls on the VCI for drivers who use the road primarily as a north–south (or south–north) through-route, with the measure starting as early as 1 January next year. In return, he proposes removing tolls on the A41 (CREP - Circular Regional Exterior do Porto), so motorists would have a free alternative.

“At least, at certain times of day, we should toll it - and toll it heavily.”

Pedro Duarte, candidate for the presidency of Porto City Council

A phased approach: heavy goods vehicles first

It is worth noting that, in April, Miguel Pinto Luz, the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, had already announced an intention to reduce CREP tolls “drastically” for heavy goods vehicles.

According to Pedro Duarte, “I think it won’t be difficult to find consensus so that there are tolls on the VCI, in a first phase, for heavy vehicles.” He also said these tolls would not have to apply at every hour. “At night, for example, there may be no toll,” he added.

He stressed that the aim is to create a clear incentive for heavy vehicles to use the CREP. He went on to say: “If, after six months, we conclude that it isn’t enough, we can move towards another solution: tolling light vehicles or, in an extreme phase, anyone who wants to enter the city.”

Other proposals

However, tolling the VCI was not the only mobility-related measure he discussed during the interview.

Duarte also pledged to make public transport free for Porto residents, funded through the Tourism Tax. The intention is to cut reliance on cars and encourage people to use collective transport.

“We’re aware that this won’t happen overnight. We’ll challenge people from Porto to start - and I, as Mayor, will set that example - by accepting that 10% of our mobility within the city will be done on public transport,” he said.

Metrobus: review and potential full redesign

On the controversial metrobus project, the candidate argues for a thorough re-evaluation. The second phase is, for now, suspended, and Duarte admits the project may need to be “completely restructured”. The option under consideration, in collaboration with Metro do Porto, is intended to avoid destroying the central corridor and the removal of more than 100 trees along the avenue.

Finally, Pedro Duarte highlighted the need to improve the institutional relationship with Metro do Porto, which he believes has been “harmful to the city” in recent years. “It makes no sense to have our backs turned to each other,” he concluded.