
SIGA – 7 Months And Now?
On July 1, 2024, SIGA launched with the goal of significantly improving and simplifying bus operations on Madeira. However, according to recent press reports, the planned changes remain largely invisible even seven months later.
The only noticeable update so far has been the renewal of the bus fleet, with the acquisition of 124 new Iveco vehicles.
What we still miss, unfortunately, is a mobile app to check current schedule changes. Additionally, there’s no option to pay for tickets onboard or via an app using a card, nor is it possible for tourists to purchase weekly or monthly passes. An onboard ticketing system is also still nowhere in sight.
Ticket purchase with tradition 😉
For tourists in particular, it’s a challenge to always have enough coins ready to buy tickets directly from the driver (currently the only option for trips outside Funchal). It’s easy to see how this procedure causes delays and disruptions in the bus schedules.
According to today’s report in the Diário, SIGA is now at risk of an early shutdown. However, we are confident that it won’t come to that, as the state has a responsibility to maintain public transportation. If Madeira is unable to sustain this project, the government in Lisbon will surely find a way to ensure that Madeira’s buses continue to operate reliably and on time.
We’ll stay on top of this story and keep you updated.