The Regional Government has approved a new €32 million package of extraordinary support to offset the impact of rising fuel and energy prices on families and businesses in Madeira.
The measures cover public transport operators, taxis, firefighters, the Portuguese Red Cross, SANAS, social welfare institutions and bakery businesses in Porto Santo.
Although the new scheme formally begins on the 1st of October, it will apply retrospectively from the 1st of July because of the recent escalation in oil prices. The support will remain in force until the 31st of December, continuing measures previously introduced for April, May and June.
Public passenger transport operators will continue to receive support of 15 cents per litre of diesel whenever the weekly average price exceeds the reference level recorded between the 9th and 13th of March by more than 10 cents.
The subsidy is limited to 2,000 litres per vehicle each month, providing a maximum of €300 per vehicle per month.
The Government will also revise its concession contracts with transport operators to accommodate the measures and prevent increases in the price of social transport passes in 2027, as previously announced by Regional Government President Miguel Albuquerque.
Taxi operators, including vehicles bearing the letter “T,” will receive 15 cents per litre of petrol or diesel, based on a maximum consumption of 300 litres a month. This represents total support of up to €270 per vehicle over the six months.
Firefighters’ humanitarian associations, the Portuguese Red Cross and SANAS will receive €360 per quarter for each heavy emergency or rescue vehicle kept operational, covering up to 1,200 litres of diesel. Support of €120 will be available for each light vehicle, covering up to 400 litres of petrol or diesel.
Private social solidarity institutions and equivalent organisations will be eligible for quarterly support of up to €600 to compensate for additional fuel costs involving vehicles used to provide community services.
Porto Santo bakery businesses, including commercial establishments with bakery or pastry operations, will receive compensation covering 90% of the documented cost of transporting raw materials by sea between Madeira and Porto Santo.
This assistance will cover expenses incurred between the 1st of September and the 31st of December and will be limited to €10,000 per beneficiary. It will be administered by the Institute for Business Development (IDE).
Two additional business-support programmes are due to open for applications by the end of September. A total of €24 million will be available through the SI Operation programme to help with compulsory social security contributions, electricity, water, premises rental and accounting costs.
A further €6.7 million will be allocated to the SI Operation Transport programme.
Regional Secretary for the Economy José Manuel Rodrigues said the measures were intended to prevent higher operating costs from being passed on through increased prices for goods and services.
The Government will continue setting maximum fuel prices weekly and adjusting the petroleum products tax in an effort to maintain a price difference of 10 cents per litre compared with mainland Portugal.
The Solidarity Gas programme will also continue, providing eligible low-income families with support of €25 per gas cylinder.
Rodrigues said the package would help stabilise the operating costs of public transport and taxis, avoid fare increases and limit the effect of rising fuel prices on essential goods.
The new framework will remain in force until the 31st of December and retrospectively replaces the support scheme approved in April, without affecting rights established under the previous programme.
The Regional Government said the €32 million package was intended to reduce the impact of the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
All well and good, but as one newspaper article put it, “we have to work to pay to travel to work!”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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