Metrobus expanded on the 10th to Coimbra-B and Praça da República, in a new operational phase that altered traffic in Coimbra's Baixa and affected more than 20 lines of the Municipal Urban Transport Services of Coimbra. This reorganization covered approximately 14% of daily passengers and sought to avoid overlap between the SMTUC network and Metrobus, with Arnado, Praça da República and the Estádio/Solum area serving as connection points between the two services. A new stop restricted to public transport and local access was created on Avenida D. Sesnando Davides.
Rua da Sofia now has reserved circulation for public transport and local access, with the roadway narrowed and delimited by planters. Part of the freed space is being used for the installation of terraces. On Rua de Saragoça, which now operates only in the downward direction between Rua Guerra Junqueiro and Rua Montarroio, morning queues were recorded extending to Rua de Aveiro, indicated by the municipality as one of the main alternatives for those arriving from Casa do Sal towards Praça da República.
Reactions to the change were divided. Aguinalda Amaro, owner of Café Sofia, considered that the silence now provided is "worth its weight in gold" and expressed herself convinced by the change. A worker at another establishment admitted that the new configuration may benefit commerce on Rua da Sofia, but fears problems on surrounding streets. Maria Augusta, a florist, classified the change as negative and criticized the lack of clarification about loading and unloading. Miguel Braga, a trader on the street, considered that the removal of traffic may harm part of the trade and worsen circulation on nearby arteries.
Passengers also expressed doubts and concerns. Maria Fernanda, a daily user, feared she would not arrive at work on time after having hitched a ride from a colleague the day before. Fernanda Sousa, 65 years old, criticized the absence of buses between Arnado and the Market and admitted that the changes may drive passengers away from municipal transport. Sílvia Miranda, who was waiting for line 19, described the morning as confusing, although she admitted giving the new model the benefit of the doubt. Given the scale of the changes, Coimbra City Hall launched an information campaign at www.cm-coimbra.pt/comovou and recommended the use of navigation applications during the adaptation to the new traffic scheme.
