“My goal was for it to be working for next year’s tourist calendar. I wish it was before summer, but my goal wasn't before summer, it was actually at least before Easter. Let’s try, and see if it’s possible next year”.

The vice-president of Lisbon City Council, who is responsible for Mobility in the municipality, highlighted that the capital's model “is innovative” and was created “in partnership and dialogue” with businesspeople, and the process is being “ accompanied with dynamism” by the city hall.

The proposal for the “Regulation of Vehicles Used to Non-Heavy Tourist Entertainment in the Municipality of Lisbon”, which was approved at the beginning of November, aims to “halve” the number of ‘Tuk Tuks’ in the city and is in a period of public discussion.

“In the beginning it will be less than half and, later, with the possibility of expansion, if this need arises”, highlighted Filipe Anacoreta Correia, considering, however, that this process “is not easy”, since the delimitation of this tourist transport has led to litigation in several municipalities that have presented proposed regulations.

In this proposal, the Lisbon City Council envisages the creation of dedicated parking lots for 'Tuk Tuks', who will need a specific license to use these parking lots, in addition to the one that is already necessary now.

In addition to this new municipal license, the vice-president of Lisbon City Council also admitted that the conditioning of streets to the traffic of these tourist vehicles could be extended.

It is worth remembering that, on 31st July, the city council announced its intention to limit the parking locations for 'Tuk Tuks', as well as the number of licenses to be granted to this type of vehicle, in order to regulate the activity in the city.

On November 6th, the Lisbon City Council approved the beginning of the preparation of the draft regulation of vehicles used for non-heavy tourist entertainment, including 'Tuk Tuk', with the participation of any interested parties, within a period of 20 working days. After the public consultation period, the document will be discussed at the City Council, which could happen by the end of the year.