In 2011, 10 890 social passes were sold on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, comprising three categories "30-Day Pass," "Unemployed Pass," and "Senior Pass."
The introduction of Social Passes on São Miguel and Terceira has well accepted by the population, particularly the category "30-Day Pass." This measure brings economic benefits for users, because social passes represent discounts of 30 to 50 percent and have an unlimited number of trips per months. The same applies to the "Unemployed Pass," addressed at the unemployed, and the "Senior (Pensioner and Disability) Pass" will benefit from an additional discount of 25 percent.
According to data from the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, the months of October, November and June have registered the highest demand in the three categories, mainly with the sales of about 1500 social passes in October.
With regard to each social pass category, "30-Day Pass" has been the most sought after by users, registering a total sales of 10 301 passes in 2011.
The route Ribeira Grande/Rabo de Peixe/Ponta Delgada, operated by the company Caetano Raposo Pereira, was the most sought-after route with 3423 passes sold in 2011. October and March were the months with higher sales, registering a total of 507 and 410 social passes, respectively.
One should recall that with the entering into force of new fares, under the implementation of social passes in public passenger transport, this measure represents a significant discount in all routes and has unlimited number of trips, allowing families to make considerable savings.
The Government has also implemented a special pass targeted at users over 65, pensioners and unemployed, who will benefit from 25 percent reduction over the price of the "30-Day Pass."
With the introduction of the social pass in the Azores, firstly on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira and later extended to other islands, the Regional Government aims to, in addition to reducing fares, encourage the use of public transport over private transport.
According to the report on "Social Pass Statistics 2011," in regard to the circuits operated by regional companies Caetano Raposo e Pereira, Varela & Cª Lda., Auto Viação Micaelense and Empresa de Viação Terceirense, the company Varela & Cª Lda. ranks second in the number of social passes sold in 2011, 3181, and the most popular route was Ponta Delgada/Vila Franca do Campo.
The company Auto Viação Micaelense sold a total of 2924 passes, mainly in the last three months of 2011. Ponta Delgada/Mosteiros/Capelas/Santa Bárbara was the most sought-after route.
In turn, the Empresa de Viação Terceirense Lda. sold 1362 social passes between June - the month when this measure was implemented - and December 2011, registering higher sales in the months of November and October.
The same report confirms that all bus companies registered a significant increase in the purchase of social passes during the months of November and October, with an annual average of 1400 social passes.