The "IR e VIR" public service for flexible, on-demand mobility, created by the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) Viseu Dão Lafões, marks five years of operation. Since its launch in 2021, the service has seen continuous growth in usage and achieved new monthly and daily records, with over 66,000 passengers transported. The model has also received European recognition.
Designed to address public transport gaps in areas with limited or no service, "IR e VIR" allows users to travel by taxi at a cost equivalent to a bus ticket, via prior reservation. In July 2026, the service reached a peak of 3,297 passengers in a single month, a 7.18% increase compared to the previous year. That same month, July 23rd, set a new daily record with 205 passengers.
João Azevedo, President of CIM Viseu Dão Lafões, highlighted the service's importance for the autonomy and access to services for residents in areas with restricted mobility. "'IR e VIR' is today a fundamental part of our mobility network and, above all, a concrete response for many people living in localities where public transport is limited," he stated.
The service began in October 2021 with a municipal phase, connecting localities to municipal seats. In July 2022, it expanded with an intermunicipal component, ensuring connections between municipalities and with the railway network of the Beira Alta Line. The service's expansion to Viseu municipality in 2025 completed coverage across all 14 CIM municipalities, introducing the Aerodrome Service for connections to Gonçalves Lobato Aerodrome.
Currently, "IR e VIR" operates with a fleet of 120 taxis, complementing conventional public transport in a region characterized by geographical dispersion. Nuno Martinho, Executive Secretary of CIM, emphasizes the project's consolidation, noting its contribution to social and territorial cohesion by reducing isolation and facilitating travel.
The fifth-anniversary celebration also coincides with the installation of 39 new "Green Hubs" across the 14 municipalities. These new waiting areas combine seating, planters, and sustainable infrastructure, enhancing comfort and accessibility for service users.
The "IR e VIR" project has received national and international recognition. It was awarded the Good Practices seal by the URBACT IV program, distinguished in the European EMBRACER project, and inspired the European transfer network "Comings and Goings". Nationally, it received the Mobility Award from the Portuguese Automobile Club (ACP) for its contribution to safer and more sustainable mobility.
