Six tourists used the new Pico do Areeiro bus route yesterday.
The 31-seater bus made its inaugural trip between Funchal and Pico do Areeiro yesterday, the 5th of August. The initiative, which aims to ease the traffic burden has met with some resistance, and yet there were still people game enough to get up early and travel on the 06:00 bus.
According to Antena 1, six people went up. Tourists were satisfied, saying the 6 euro round trip is much cheaper than a taxi. But Antena 1 also heard from the bus driver who, despite finding the measure positive, considers that the congestion that already occurs on arrival will prevent many others from being able to climb to the top. “A limit of vehicles has to be created to go up from the parking lot to the top,” José Martins told Antena 1 on this inaugural trip. He also added that the trip represents good value for money.
It should be noted that there are two departures from Funchal: at 06:00 am and 13:30, departing from Praça da Autonomia (at the stop on Rua 31 de Janeiro). The return journeys are scheduled for 12:15 pm and 19:00, from the roundabout next to the Pico do Areeiro Radar. Tickets cost 3 euros each way.
It is possible to make a seat reservation, up to two working days before you travel. To reserve a ticket please call: 291 705 555 (cost of a call to the national fixed network), from Monday to Thursday between 08:30 and 12:30 and between 14:00 and 18:00 and on Friday between 08:30 am and 12:30 pm and between 14:00 and 17:00.
Seat reservations are only available at the departure stops (Praça da Autonomia and Pico do Areeiro).
Passengers with a seat reservation must arrive at the boarding point at least 15 minutes before departure. Failure to do so could invalidate your trip.
There is also the shuttle connecting the stops at the junction with the Serras de Santo António Forest Path, Pico do Areeiro car park, and roundabout next to the Radar. This service departs every quarter past and quarter to between 06:40 and 12:15 and 14:10 and 19:00. Trips cost 1.20 euros per trip.
This service runs with a minimum of four passengers. It should also be noted that this is a daily service except for Christmas Day.
It was also reported that a man made the exhausting journey on an electric scooter, much to the amazement of passers-by.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
