Faro (Portugal)
Faro is a city of 58,000 inhabitants, located in the Algarve region of Portugal. Faro is known for its preserved medieval quarters, harbour, curious museums and churches (including a bone chapel). For the development of the city, attractive, effective and sustainable transport system is in the focus.
The city of Faro has no specific data on modal split. However, available data indicate that more than 85 percent of the population travel by private car, despite the existence of local and suburban public bus and train networks.
Faro’s Local Sustainable Mobility Plan was finalized in 2009. According to its Action Plan, specific initiatives and measures from the Mobility Plan are expected to be implemented in the coming three years, depending on the availability of financial resources. The main goals are to create a better urban pedestrian mobility structure; to improve public transport services; and to develop the cycle path network.
Although progress has been slow in this field due to insufficient financial resources, there have been constant moves towards the establishment of better and more sustainable mobility systems. The city of Faro is one of the Portuguese pilot cities for the creation of a significant number of energy supply points for electric cars.
Challenges and future plans include encouraging the government to improve urban public bus services, as well as to build tram connections with neighbouring cities.
Faro works on the implementation of sustainable urban transport measures in cooperation with the private bus company, the central government and NGOs.
Summary finalized: April 2010
