Guimarães inaugurated this Monday, September 7th, the new free public transport service "Vai e Vem", which connects Park 2 of Multiusos to the Hospital da Senhora da Oliveira. The inaugural journey was attended by the president of the Municipal Council, Ricardo Araújo, the councilor for Mobility, Vânia Dias da Silva, the president of the Local Health Unit of Alto Ave, Pedro Cunha, and the president of Vitrus Ambiente, Alexandre Barros Cunha. The service operates from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 19:30, with a frequency of every 10 minutes, using a bus with about 50 seats and a minibus with capacity for about 20 people.
The new transport aims to facilitate access to the hospital and reduce traffic congestion in the area, encouraging the use of peripheral car parks in the city. Ricardo Araújo explained that an old congestion problem was identified at the entrance to the city, particularly near the hospital, which employs about 3,000 workers. Users can book the journey until 3:00 PM the previous day through a free call or the Vitrus Ambiente portal.
The pilot project will operate until the end of the year, during which period its impact on traffic circulation and parking demand will be monitored and evaluated. Among the indicators to be analyzed are the parking occupancy rate, the volume of passengers transported, and the impacts on road traffic. The president of the ULS of Guimarães, Pedro Cunha, received the new service with enthusiasm, considering that it will improve the commuting conditions of hospital professionals and contribute to a more efficient response to the population.
The president of the Council acknowledged that access for emergency medical vehicles to the hospital continues to be an old problem without an immediate solution, which involves studying new access routes and negotiating with the Government. Ricardo Araújo highlighted that "Vai e Vem" does not resolve this specific issue, but studies are already underway to reduce automobile pressure in the area. The initiative is part of the municipal strategy to promote more environmentally friendly transport solutions, at a time when Guimarães assumes a prominent role as European Green Capital 2026.
