Lisbon clamps down on tuk‑tuks: 337 streets off‑limits
The Lisbon authorities have decided to ban the movement of electric rickshaws on 337 streets of the city, including popular tourist areas.
The authorities of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, have announced a ban on the movement of electric rickshaws, known as tuk-tuks, on 337 streets of the city. These restrictions mainly apply to areas popular with tourists, including the old town. This decision comes after years of protests from various groups pointing out the overabundance of these vehicles in the city.
The ban was introduced following numerous complaints from residents, taxi drivers, and public transport drivers who demanded a reduction in the number of rickshaws. Currently, there are about 1,000 of these vehicles operating in Lisbon, which city authorities believe is excessive.
According to Lisbon City Hall, from April 1st, increased patrols will monitor compliance with the new regulations. The goal is to ensure effective enforcement of the ban, which is expected to enhance residents' quality of life and better organize city tourist traffic.
The Mayor of Lisbon is pleased with the changes
The Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, is openly pleased with finding a solution to the problem his city has been struggling with for several years. He believes that imposing the restrictions is "a step in the right direction." As he emphasizes, the presence of tuk-tuks in the city was unregulated for a long time, leading to significant problems.
We argue that the municipality should have other means to control, in particular, the maximum number of tuk-tuks operating in Lisbon, but this step we are taking now is a step in the right direction, said Moedas, as quoted by the Olhares de Lisboa service.
As the portal adds, inspections will focus on the restrictions in the movement of tuk-tuks. The main areas to be inspected are: Baixa Pombalina, Encosta do Castelo, and Belém.
