Mayor Rui Cristina announced the decision in a video published online, arguing that it is based on safety and traffic-flow reasons.


The mayor says that every summer Albufeira receives thousands of tourists and registers a massive increase in ride-hailing vehicles coming from different parts of the country.

Referring to the city's tourist flow during the summer, Rui Cristina states that there is an increase in ride-hailing vehicles coming from different parts of the country. The mayor adds that "this reality has caused an excessive concentration in the Baixa of Albufeira and on Avenida da Liberdade," noting that many of the vehicles even circulate without passengers and remain parked in inappropriate places, "creating queues, blocking streets and seriously affecting traffic."

The official also states that the constraints caused may affect the operations of emergency vehicles that “cannot be prevented from quickly reaching those who need help.”

Rui Cristina also laments that the measure took “too long” to be considered, citing a lack of “courage to make decisions.”

In the video published online, Rui Cristina states that the municipality chose “to act and, in coordination with the security forces, we approved the ban on the circulation of TVDE (Transport Vehicle with Driver) in the most critical areas, namely, from the Pau da Bandeira area to downtown Albufeira and its surroundings, in the southern area of Avenida da Liberdade and in the area of Rua da Oura on the side accesses of Avenida dos Descobrimentos.”

The mayor of Albufeira also adds that although he understands the increase in TVDE due to the increase in tourist flow, in one of the most sought-after destinations in Portugal, “order, sustainability and the quality of life of the people of Albufeira are always first. In Albufeira, everyone is welcome, and the rules are for everyone.”