Reimbursement of Social Mobility Aid back to normal - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures informs that, following persistent efforts by the Government of the Azores since last week with the Inspectorate-General of Finance (IGF), the reimbursement of the Social Mobility Aid has been restored to normal, as a result of guidelines issued by the IGF to the Portuguese Postal Services (CTT).

However, the resumption of the reimbursement process excludes situations identified as speculative and are the subject of ongoing investigations.

The Government of the Azores rejects the bad practices of some market players. In fact, it has advocated a fair reinstatement of the subsidy for the beneficiary citizens, avoiding unexpected and unjustifiable losses for them as a result of the misconduct of the wrongdoers. 

National and regional public entities and authorities have acknowledged that the bad practices identified are fundamentally the result of legislative loopholes, given that the legislation in force does not stipulate an eligible limit for the ticketing fee (xp).

Several meetings will take place this week between the IGF, ANAC - National Civil Aviation Authority and APAVT - Portuguese Agency of Travel and Tourism Agencies, which will be attended by a representative of the Government of the Azores, to find the best solution to prevent the bad practices identified. This may involve setting a maximum eligible limit for the ticketing fee.

The Government of the Azores will always strive, as it has done from the beginning, for full compliance with the legislation and respect for the rights of citizens benefiting from the Social Mobility Aid, while also condemning abusive or illegitimate practices.

The Government of the Azores appreciates the positive and constructive collaboration of all national and regional entities and authorities involved in restoring normalcy.