Azoreans are unhappy with the new social mobility subsidy model, especially with the online platform for reimbursements. They criticize the increase in bureaucracy and warn that the process is putting mobility outside the Region at risk.
The social mobility subsidy continues to be a thorn in the side of Azoreans and has even led to a petition with more than 7,500 signatures.
Despite the Government of the Republic having announced that it would no longer be mandatory present a receipt for the trip, the measure remains in force on the electronic platform for reimbursement effects.
“A person who has to travel for health reasons has to pay a flexible fare, referring to amounts of R$600, R$700 or R$800. If the person has to take a companion, the costs rise to R$1,400 or R$1,500, and there are people who don’t have that liquidity”, says Clélio Meneses, lawyer and promoter of the petition.
Previously, the request was made at CTT, but with the new social mobility subsidy model the process started to be done online, taking around 15 days to receive refund after the request has been approved.
Complaints regarding bureaucracy have increased and there are even travel agencies that have found themselves forced to allocate resources to help customers. With the platform, a proof of no debt to finance and social securitya much criticized measure that led to the Government to suspend this request until June 30th.
The maximum ceiling of 600 euros on trips to the Azores and 400 euros of Madeira may have its days numbered, after the approval in the specialty of the amendment proposals from the Socialist Party (PS) and Chega in the Assembly of the Republic.
For many Azoreans, the solution really involves put an end to refunds and only pay the fixed price of the ticketsomething that the Government guarantees will happen by the summer.
