Travel Planning

FAQs

• What is a transport ticket?

  A transport ticket is the document or ticket that authorizes your journey on public transport. In Portugal, it can be for occasional use (such as single tickets purchased or reloaded at Ticket Vending Machines (MAVT) and Sales Points) or monthly use (travel passes). Passengers are required to validate their ticket before each journey to avoid fines ranging from €120 to €250.

• Can my Move-C card be used by other people?

  The paper Move-C card, for occasional trips, is not personalized, so it can be used by anyone. However, each card can only be used by one person at a time. For example, if two people want to travel together, each will have to carry their own card.
  As for PVC cards with a loaded pass, they can only be used by their holder.

• Do children up to 3 years old need a ticket?

  No. Children up to and including 3 years of age travel free of charge on the Metrobus, provided they are accompanied by an adult with a valid, validated travel ticket. Children aged 4 and over must have a valid and validated travel ticket to travel.

• Can I load different tickets onto the same occasional-use card?

  No. Each occasional-use card can only contain one type of ticket at a time. For example, if you purchased an occasional-use card with a municipal ticket, you can only reload that same type of ticket.

• What is the validity period of the Move-C card?

  The paper card for occasional journeys is valid for one year. The PVC card for loading travel passes is valid for five years.

• Can I change the ticket loaded onto the occasional-use card?

  Yes, but only when the card has no journeys remaining. To load a different product, the occasional-use card must have a zero balance. For example, if the card is loaded with a municipal ticket and you wish to load an intermunicipal ticket, you must first use all the available journeys. Currently, changing the product must be done at a ticket office. In the future, this operation will also be available at the ticket vending machines (MAVT) at the stations.

• Is it possible to buy tickets the day before?

  Yes. Trips are loaded onto the card and retain their associated validity and can be used whenever the customer needs them.

• Where can I check the balance of my Move-C card?

  The easiest and quickest way is to use the ticket vending machines (MAVT) at the stations. Simply insert the card into the slot and check the balance displayed on the screen.

• When should I validate my travel pass or occasional-use ticket?

  Always. Validation is mandatory: • At the beginning of every journey; • Whenever you change operator (Metro Mondego or SMTUC); • Whenever you change vehicle.

• Where can I validate my Move-C card?

  To validate your card, use the validators available at the stations, with two validators on each platform. It is not possible to validate the card inside the vehicle.

• How far in advance should I validate my travel pass/ticket?

  It is recommended to validate your travel pass or ticket within the 5 minutes before your journey. This helps avoid losing validity time in the event of service disruptions or delays and, for occasional-use tickets, maximizes the time available for use. However, the ticket can be validated up to the last available minute before boarding.

• Do I have to interrupt my journey if I exceed the maximum validity period of my ticket?

  No. The validity of the ticket is determined by the time of the first validation. During the ticket’s validity period, you can make the necessary validations, including for a return journey, without being charged for an additional journey. For example, an intermunicipal ticket is valid for 120 minutes. If you make your last validation at 119 minutes, you can continue your journey to your destination even if it ends after the 120-minute validity period. The important point is that the last validation must take place within the ticket’s validity period.

• What happens if I don't validate my transport ticket?

  Validation is mandatory for all transport tickets, including travel passes. Failure to validate may be considered equivalent to not having a valid transport ticket, making the passenger subject to the conditions set out in the applicable legislation, namely Law No. 28/2006 of 4 July. Please note: having a travel pass or ticket loaded onto your card does not exempt you from validating it before each journey.

• Are there tickets or passes for traveling only on Metrobus?

  Yes, it is possible to load a pass or buy tickets to travel only on the Metrobus. To check the prices, click here.
  In addition to the regular ticket, tickets with a 50% discount are available for people aged between 4 and 12 years, and over 65 years.
  Passes and single-mode tickets (for traveling only on the Metrobus) are loaded onto a Move-C support card at the ticket offices in Miranda do Corvo and Lousã, and at the SMTUC store in Portagem, Coimbra.

• From what day can I top up my pass for the following month?

  You can top up for the following month from the 23rd (inclusive), meaning that top-ups up to the 22nd are for the current month.

• How can I travel between Coimbra B and Coimbra (Estação Nova)?

  The connection between Coimbra B station and Estação Nova is made by transferring by bus. More information here.

• Can I bring bicycles or scooters on board the Metrobus?

  To guarantee the safety and comfort of all passengers, as well as the preservation of the space intended for the transport of people, only folding bicycles that do not exceed the dimensions of 55x40x20 cm and folding scooters weighing 25 kg or less are allowed.

• Is it mandatory to enter through the front door of the Metrobus?

  No, on the Metrobus, passengers can enter and exit through any of the vehicle's three doors.

• Can I transport animals on board the Metrobus?

  Without prejudice to the provisions of specific legislation, passengers are allowed to transport companion animals free of charge that do not pose a danger, provided they are properly enclosed in an appropriate container that can be carried as hand luggage.
  Assistance dogs accompanying people with reduced mobility are transported on vehicles free of charge and without muzzles, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 74/2007, of March 27.

• Can I eat on Metrobus?

  To ensure the hygiene and comfort of all passengers, eating and drinking inside our vehicles is not permitted. By avoiding dirt and unpleasant smells, we contribute to a clean and pleasant environment for everyone.

• Do I have to interrupt my trip if I exceed the maximum duration of my travel pass?

  No. What matters is the time and zone of the first validation. From then on, you have a maximum time to validate the pass again without incurring another trip charge.
  Example: If you have an intercity travel ticket (valid for two hours), you can validate it for the last time at 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds and continue your journey to your destination. In this case, the last validation you made is still within the two-hour limit of the intercity ticket, so you do not need to interrupt your journey.

• I already have an SMTUC card. Do I need to get a Move-C card?

  No, anyone who already has a card to travel on the SMTUC network can use that card to load intermodal tickets.