The implementation of new BUS corridors on the main arteries of Funchal, including Rua 5 de Outubro, Rua 31 de Janeiro and Avenida do Visconde de Anadia, is generating strong controversy. The article warns that the city of Funchal has a centuries-old urban layout with ancient geometry that was not designed for the current volume of automobiles, making the sacrifice of lanes a serious mistake.
The author argues that with two lanes traffic is already chaotic, so reducing to a single general traffic lane is an unwarranted decision. Previously, the right-hand lane absorbed the occasional stops of buses and the loading and unloading bays, while the left-hand lane guaranteed traffic flow. Now, one BUS lane equals a continuous stop, turning flow into a permanent bottleneck.
The article raises a question about the true purpose of the measure: whether it serves to solve mobility or to force Madeirans to give up driving to Funchal, handing the city centre over to tourism. The author also questions the impacts on local commerce and access to health services.
As an alternative, the author proposes the construction of Funchal's first ring road and the installation of a free surface metro connecting the large peripheral car parks to the centre, freeing up space for a greener and more pleasant downtown area.
