Exmo. Senhor Presidente da CML,

Exmo. Senhor Presidente da Carris

Somos a dar conhecimento a V.Exas. do documento enviado a uma série de editores de guias turísticos estrangeiros, dando-lhes das nossas preocupações acerca da sobrelotação dos eléctricos, ascensores e elevadores de Lisboa vs. utilização com fins turísticos, bem como daquilo que consideramos ser um escândalo que a todos nos envergonha e que importa resolver: os mais de 50 carteiristas que operam nestes transportes públicos da capital conforme noticiado recentemente.

Aproveitamos o ensejo para reafirmarmos, uma vez mais, a urgência em se estudar as seguintes medidas para ajudar a resolver os problemas:

- que a CARRIS termine com a venda de bilhetes a bordo do eléctrico 28, solução já implementada noutras cidades da Europa (Londres, Milão, Zurique, etc.), de forma a evitar as perturbações na circulação provocados pelas longas filas de turistas que desejam comprar bilhete a bordo;

- que a CARRIS estude uma campanha de promoção dos eléctricos e ascensores que registam menos utentes (ex: Lavra);

- que se promova a reabilitação do espaço público da área urbana envolvente aos ascensores da Glória e do Lavra à semelhnaça do que acabou de ser feito na Bica;

- que se retome o diálogo entre CARRIS, CML e AMTL de forma a planear-se, tão breve quanto possível, o regresso do eléctrico 24 (Cais do Sodré / Campolide).

Com os melhores cumprimentos

Bernardo Ferreira de Carvalho, Fernando Jorge, Júlio Amorim, Luís Marques da Silva

CC: AML, ATL, AMTL Media

...

Subject: Tourism Impact on Lisbon's Public Transport/historical trams and funiculars, a growing conflict between leisure and non-leisure users

Dear Sirs

As members of Fórum Cidadania Lx (FCLX), residents of Lisbon and daily users of the city’s public transport, including the Tram 28, we would like to request that future editions of your guide to Lisbon highlight the fact that the city’s trams, funiculars and lifts are operated primarily as public transport and not as tourist attractions.

Throughout the year and especially during peak holiday periods around Christmas, New Year, Easter and in the summer (and with Lisbon becoming an increasingly popular destination for weekend breaks), local residents who rely on public transport to move around are finding it more difficult and inconvenient each day to ride on these services.

Encouraged mainly by travel guide books and travel-related media to experience Lisbon’s historical transport means, visitors to the city crowd these services everyday; the Tram 28, the Elevador da Glória and the Elevador de Santa Justa are perpetually inundated with tourists eager to ride them, often leaving little opportunity and room for local residents to board. Too frequently, lengthy queues of 20 or more tourists buying individual tickets from the driver, usually without the exact change, result in delay and inconvenience for all.

When the vehicles are full of tourists, many of whom opt to ride the entire route of the service from one terminus to the other (and back!) as a sightseeing experience, we are left standing with our heavy shopping and tired legs. The vehicles are so full that it is not uncommon for locals to have to wait for up to the third tram, lift or funicular to arrive before being able to board.

An otherwise simple journey to work or an appointment has become extremely frustrating for regular passengers. The services are under visible stress, becoming less reliable due to delays and congestion.

The crowded trams have also attracted increasing numbers of pickpockets who boldly prey on tourists, often as they board the tram. At times we have observed up to ten pickpockets on each tram, and we have witnessed ugly and violent incidents involving pickpockets and passengers.

Through our experience and observation, it appears that the majority of tourists riding Tram 28, for example, are oblivious to the fact that these transport services have a function other than as visitors’ entertainment.

Hence, in the spirit of responsible tourism, guidebooks should:

1. Encourage readers to ride Lisbon’s trams, funiculars and lifts with consideration first for the residents and public-transport users of the city; they should respect and be mindful of the local community’s needs before their own recreational pursuits;

2. Encourage readers to purchase pre-paid tickets (these are easily available) to avoid delaying the services and other users;

3. Advise readers to use the public transport at off-peak hours, and to experience other tram routes, such as the Tram 25 between Alfândega and Estrela/Campo de Ourique or Tram 18 between the city centre and Ajuda. There are many lesser-known areas of Lisbon served by these services that are equally rewarding and much less crowded;

4. Advise readers against repeating their journeys on the tram, and occupying seats for the entire route and back;

5. Encourage readers to ride on the red-coloured tram service which is provided specially for visitors and which travels to the key sights as Tram 28.

Our organisation has been lobbying Lisbon’s transport authorities, CARRIS (bus & tram company) and the Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (City Council), to restore Tram 24, which was discontinued in 1997. Reintroduced, this service would traverse some of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods (Cais do Sodré, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Princípe Real, Rato, Amoreiras), and would help relieve congestion on services such as tram 28. Unfortunately, and despite assurances, both authorities have failed to respond.

At Fórum Cidadania Lx, we welcome tourists to our city and their contribution to Lisbon’s economy and vibrancy. Through our efforts, we are trying to resolve a growing conflict between leisure and non-leisure users of the city’s trams and transport services; to reduce congestion; and to make the travel experience pleasant and efficient for all. We hope we count on the support and co-operation of your guidebook to do the same.

Thank you.

FÓRUM CIDADANIA LX

Lisbon, 13 August 2012

The Fórum Cidadania Lx (FCLX), founded in 2003, is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting civic participation on projects which have great implications on the architectonic and urban environment of Lisbon. The organisation's activities include public forums, proposals and signature campaigns with the objective to help improve the city's livability and environmental sustainability; to protect the city's cultural and architectural heritage; and to promote good governance and civic participation in Lisbon. The organisation has around 200 members, a dedicated blog, a website, and is one of the early advocates for the protection of Lisbon's cultural and natural heritage