The new Mayor of Silves has visited the struggling population of São Marcos da Serra which she says is virtually closed off from the outside world. The last train stopped there two years ago and there is no sign of any sensible public transport provision.
"People in São Marcos da Serra feel completely forgotten," said Rosa Palma, stressing that this parish had been the hardest hit over the withdrawal of basic state services.
Since December 11th 2011 the trains pass through São Marcos da Serra without stopping as the national rail company CP decided that Messines would be a better place for the Intercity to stop.
According to Rosa Palma this action, taken on cost grounds, did not exactly help the São Marcos da Serra locals who have a bus connection to Messines which leaves in the morning and comes back at the end of the day.
There is a taxi of course but this is unaffordable for many who wish to get to Messines market, to pay their taxes, to access healthcare.
"There is a taxi but it is not full time and it is expensive," said Palma, arguing that public services are not private entities based solely on profit and they should take into account the needs of the population.
The lack of public transportation serving São Marcos da Serra, which has less than 1,500 inhabitants, has stopped people going to the market Messines. The Finanças and Social Security offices that existed in San Marcos have been closed so people used to go to Messines about 20 kilometers away. The offices there are now closed to they have somehow to get to Silves.
