In Portugal, the national taxi sector has formally expressed its willingness to support the public health system by resuming the transport of patients requiring non-urgent care. The proposal was put forward by the National Association of Road Transport Operators in Light Vehicles (ANTRAL), which has offered to collaborate with the government in order to reduce the growing strain on ambulance services and medical emergency resources.
According to the association, the initiative is intended to address a structural imbalance within the healthcare transport system. Ambulances and emergency vehicles are frequently used for patient transfers that do not involve immediate medical risk, a practice that can limit availability for life-threatening situations. ANTRAL argues that reallocating non-urgent patient transport to taxis would allow emergency services to focus more effectively on critical cases.
The proposal is based on a model that has previously been implemented in Portugal. In earlier arrangements, taxis were used to transport patients to health centres, hospitals and other public healthcare facilities on a continuous basis. The association maintains that the sector remains operationally prepared to reinstate this service nationwide, citing its extensive geographical coverage and capacity for rapid mobilisation.
From an economic and logistical perspective, ANTRAL has highlighted potential efficiency gains. In its public statement, the association noted that the costs associated with transporting patients via taxi services are, in many instances, lower than those charged for equivalent journeys by emergency transport providers. It also questioned the routine use of large-capacity vehicles to move a small number of patients, suggesting that such practices may not represent the most rational use of public resources.
Health system analysts have previously pointed out that the inappropriate allocation of emergency transport contributes to delays, increased operational costs and workforce fatigue. By transferring non-urgent journeys to alternative providers, ambulance crews and vehicles could be redeployed more strategically, particularly in regions facing shortages of trained drivers and emergency personnel.
ANTRAL has emphasised its readiness to work in coordination with health authorities and other relevant institutions to establish formal protocols. The association states that it is awaiting guidance from the Portuguese government to determine the regulatory and operational framework required to move forward.
As pressures on healthcare systems continue to grow, particularly in emergency care and patient logistics, the proposal has renewed debate around the role of complementary transport services in public health delivery. Whether the government will adopt this approach remains to be seen, but the offer underscores the search for practical solutions to optimise healthcare capacity in Portugal.