From January 1, 2025, travel to and from Lisbon for residents of 12 municipalities using public road transport will only cost 40 euros per month with the introduction of ‘M Oeste’ pass. With this new initiative, the western region of Portugal has become the first to implement intermunicipal travel by public bus for one set fee, a significant step forward for public transport reform. In total, around 365,000 people in the region are set to benefit from M Oeste.
Which Municipalities Will Benefit from These New Changes?
The pass, introduced by OesteCIM (Intermunicipal Community of the West), brings substantial changes to how residents navigate the region’s transportation network. Perhaps most notably, it enables travel by public bus for one set fee between all twelve municipalities in the West region: Alcobaça, Nazaré, Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos, Peniche, Bombarral, Lourinhã, Cadaval, Torres Vedras, Alenquer, Arruda dos Vinhos, and Sobral de Monte Agraço. Please note that train travel within these 12 municipalities is not included in the new pass. This represents a dramatic shift from the previous system, where monthly passes could cost up to 40 euros for intermunicipal travel and 30 euros for travel within individual municipalities. It is also a significant savings for families.
The reform extends beyond regional boundaries and significantly reduces the cost of commuting to Lisbon. The monthly pass for travel between the West region and the capital has now been standardized at 40 euros, matching the rate paid by residents of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The M Oeste also includes access to urban transport within Lisbon at no additional cost. The change reduces transportation costs for commuters by half, as many previously paid between 70 and 80 euros for similar services, depending on their municipality.
Which Residents Will Travel for Free?
To give you an idea of the dramatic chance in price, in 2019, just six years ago, the monthly road pass to Lisbon cost a jaw-dropping 183.15 euros. The reduction to 40 euros represents a remarkable 78% decrease in transportation costs in total. In addition, the initiative includes special provisions for certain demographic groups. Young people up to 23 years of age will continue to enjoy free interregional passes, and users over 65 will receive additional discounts, though the exact terms of these discounts are yet to be announced. It is also important to note that the pass is available to all residents of the twelve municipalities, as well as non-residents who work or study in the region.
To implement these changes, OesteCIM has secured an investment of more than 12 million euros, with 3 million specifically allocated to ensuring free transport within the region. This initiative will also receive substantial support from the Environmental Fund and the Ministry of the Environment through PART (Support Program for Tariff Reduction in Public Transport), which has been operating since 2019.
Pedro Folgado, president of the Intermunicipal Council, frames this initiative within a broader commitment to sustainability. “It is something that we are proud of, but it is only another step in the course outlined to put sustainability at the center of all our public policies,” he stated. The reform aligns with urgent decarbonization efforts and promotes social equity by making mobility more universally accessible.
How Will the New M Oeste Pass Be Implemented?
The implementation includes a transition period to ensure smooth adoption. Existing municipal and intermunicipal pass holders will see their passes automatically migrated to the new M Pass system. For inter-regional passes connecting to the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, current pass holders will receive tariff reductions while maintaining their existing conditions of use.
However, the initiative faces certain challenges. While the reform covers road transport, it notably excludes rail transport on the West Line. Additionally, the growing number of public transport users, particularly in road transport, has not been matched by a corresponding increase in service frequency and capacity.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond the West region, as the same 40-euro rate applies to travel with the regions of Leiria (through the Intermunicipal Community of the Region of Leiria) and Santarém (via the Intermunicipal Community of Lezíria do Tejo). This standardization of fares across regions represents a significant step toward more integrated regional mobility in Portugal.
This comprehensive reform of public transport pricing in Portugal’s West region represents a bold step toward more accessible and sustainable public transportation. By dramatically reducing costs and eliminating fares for intermunicipal travel, the initiative sets a precedent for other regions in Portugal and potentially beyond. As communities worldwide grapple with questions of sustainable mobility and social equity, the M Oeste pass offers an innovative model for consideration.
