"There is no way to make the technological and energy transition in the transport sector until we have qualified professionals in public entities", stated João Jesus Caetano, quoted in a note from the organisation, considering that this shortage, being widespread, "is particularly relevant in intermunicipal communities".

The average speed of public transport is decreasing in Portugal, especially in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, with Lisbon being one of the most congested European cities, according to data from IMT.

In the statement, the organization that manages public road transport also adds that the city of Lisbon has "the eighth worst speed in Europe: 18 km/hour in the last section". The speed limit is measured in the last stretch (variably defined) of the route entering a city (in English this extension is referred to as the 'last mile', although it is not a mile).

In 2023, the number of hours lost in traffic by Portuguese people per year, according to the institute, "increased by 21% compared to the figures for 2019, the pre-pandemic year".

To meet the need for more skilled professionals, IMT and ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, in partnership with the universities of Porto and Minho, will launch the Mobilidade do Futuro postgraduate course at the end of September.

"The active involvement of IMT in this training aims to provide an update of skills to professionals in the public sector who perform mobility planning and management functions, as well as to professionals in the private sector who are central to mobility transitions and their sustainability", stated João Jesus Caetano.