"A cancer." Pedro Duarte admits to "carrying a lot" of VCI

Pedro Duarte wants to encourage the use of CREP and considers the VCI " a cancer in the city ." The Porto City Council candidate believes that traffic on this road, especially for heavy vehicles, should be " very heavily tolled ," especially at certain times.

In an interview with Jornal de Notícias, the candidate for the coalition that brings together the PSD, CDS, IL, and independents who supported Rui Moreira explained how he intends to ease traffic on the VCI. "I can commit that, starting January 1, 2026, we will have a different solution, namely, eliminating tolls on the CREP (Porto External Regional Ring Road), allowing a toll-free alternative, so that we can charge tolls for those using the VCI as a means of connecting North and South or South and North," he stated.

For Pedro Duarte, it's "essential" to prioritize "the VCI issue, which is a very complicated problem; it's a cancer in the middle of the city." "Ultimately, the VCI will undoubtedly need a completely different landscape," he considered.

For now, the candidate is committed to working with neighboring mayors to find a solution for that road. "It won't be difficult to reach a consensus on tolls, initially for heavy vehicles."

These tolls don't have to be levied at all times. At night, for example, there may be no tolls. But at least at certain times of the day, we should toll, and toll a lot.

And what does "enough" mean? Pedro Duarte doesn't quantify, but he mentions a figure that must be "a real incentive for heavy vehicles, especially, to use the CREP." "Then we'll monitor it. If, after six months, we conclude that it's not enough, we can move on to another solution, such as tolling light vehicles , or even, at a later stage, which I hope we won't have to reach, for those who want to enter the city ."

On the other hand, Pedro Duarte recalls the "emblematic measure" of free transportation for all Porto residents, a measure that "will have a concrete and real impact, namely in reducing individual transportation and increasing the use of public transportation."