Bus Usage Rises, as Residents Opt for Public Transportation
As Madeira's public transportation system expands, more residents are choosing buses over private vehicles. Data from the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) reveals that bus ridership surged by 19.8% in the first half of 2024, with 16 million passengers using the service. Urban bus routes saw a particularly sharp rise, increasing by 25.3% compared to the same period last year. This shift towards public transport appears to be influencing the region’s car market.
In the first half of 2024, public bus transport recorded a total of 16.0 million passengers, marking a 19.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
Fewer New Cars Purchased as Public Transit Becomes More Popular
The rise in public bus usage coincided with a significant drop in the sale of new vehicles. In the first six months of 2024, only 2,804 new cars were registered in Madeira—a 14.5% decline from the previous year. This shift suggests that more residents are relying on the increasingly efficient public transportation network, reducing the need for new personal vehicles.
Used Car Registrations See Modest Increase
While new car sales have slowed, the market for used vehicles in Madeira remained relatively stable, with a slight uptick in registrations. Between January and June 2024, 7,504 used cars were transferred, a 2.9% increase from the same period in 2023. This trend reflects a shift in consumer preferences, as residents may be prioritizing second-hand vehicles over new purchases, particularly as public transport improves.
Road Accidents Decline, Leading to Fewer Victims
The reduction in new car sales and the rise in public transportation use may also be contributing to a slight decline in road accidents. During the first half of 2024, Madeira recorded a 0.6% drop in traffic accidents, with 1,765 incidents. This period saw fewer victims overall, with 52 fewer injuries reported compared to the previous year, including two fatalities. This is noticeable, as the overall traffic has gone up significantly, with an ever-increasing number of rental cars hitting the roads of Madeira.
Source: DREM
Care for a share?
Comments