Yet another reprieve for HF bus tickets

The previously-extended deadline for the use of pre-paid bus journeys using the old HF (non-SIGA) Giro cards has been extended again. 

If you have not been following the SIGA saga, a reminder that bus transport in Madeira has been reorganised over the last year or so with the promise of new and improved integrated ticketing options which have largely yet to materialise. 

In the past, for the (yellow) HF buses in Funchal, it was possible to buy tickets in advance using an electronic 'GIRO' card more cheaply and more conveniently than paying a cash fare on entering the bus. Many tourists, particularly regular visitors, will have kept their cards from year to year. The demise of these tickets has been repeatedly announced, but there has been a concern about the tourists who may lose the value of tickets bought on a previous visit and indeed about the increased delays on the buses if visitors are all obliged to buy tickets on board in the absence of any alternative.

The latest development is that it will be possible to continue using the old HF cards until 30th June, 2025. It will also be possible to add journeys to these cards in Payshop locations (though not via HF shops) until either 30th June or until SIGA introduce their pre-paid tickets (whichever is the earlier). 

Any credit left on the old HF tickets is set to be lost on 30th June; it is not possible to carry the credit over to any new system that may emerge.