In a statement, the public transport company that operates in Lisbon explained that the measure began in September last year, in partnership with the Municipal Police, in order to “improve the circulation of buses and trams in the city of Lisbon and increase their commercial speed”.

According to the company, a “set of measures” was implemented, highlighting the inspection of the improper use of Bus stops and lanes.

According to Carris, “raising awareness among drivers” was the project’s initial focus, so that the largest number of infractions resulted in warnings, with a total of 1,591 warnings, 1,441 fines and 28 cases of tow trucks being activated.

For the company, the inspection service at bus stops and in bus lanes is one of the “stages of the plan to increasingly free up the circulation routes dedicated to public transport, thus contributing to improving the circulation of buses and trams and mobility in the city of Lisbon”.

Considering that improving the public transport service is a priority for the city, according to Carris, the expansion of this service is planned to be carried out through joint actions with EMEL and, at a later stage, with Carris agents.

Currently, sanctions against offenders are applied by security forces, the company explained, but soon “inspections with Carris agents will begin”.

The company also revealed that, in conjunction with Lisbon City Council, Carris is also implementing a set of other actions, namely “the creation of new bus lanes and the implementation of traffic light priority at the most important intersections”.

In addition to these activities, as part of Carris' participation in the European UPPER project, the company is also testing the use of cameras in its vehicles, “to automatically detect traffic violations that impact the circulation of buses and trams”.

Carris has been managed by the Lisbon City Council since 2017.