Court rejects bus operator's claim for extra public service payments from Viana do Castelo

A Braga administrative and tax court has thrown out a lawsuit by the Avic group against Viana do Castelo council over compensation for public transport service obligations. The operator wanted an extra €268,573.54 plus interest for services run between 2021 and 2024. It had suspended eight routes in June 2024, saying ticket revenue could not even cover driver costs. The court held that the signed protocols set what was owed, and the council had paid it. It found no legal basis for topping up the difference between costs and revenue, and ordered the company to pay the court costs.