On 1 January, the new passenger and vehicle maritime transport fares entered into force in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The updated fare structure follows the entry into force of a new contract between Atlânticoline and the Regional Government of the Azores for the provision of the Public Service of Passenger and Vehicle Maritime Transport in the Region, in effect from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2029. Under the contractual specifications set out in the Tender Documents, the Region requires a fare differentiation between residents and non-residents of the Azores. To comply with this requirement, Atlânticoline must be able to verify the tax domicile of passengers. As it was not possible, within the required timeframe, to establish a direct connection between Atlânticoline’s sales and reservation platform and the Portuguese Tax Authority, similar to the system currently used in air transport, the maritime operator implemented an alternative solution to ensure compliance with the contractual obligations. Accordingly, the Residente Açores platform was developed, allowing citizens with tax domicile in the Region to register and access the Resident Fare. The use of this platform ensures the correct application of the Resident Fare until a direct interface with the Tax Authority becomes available. Once such integration is implemented, prior registration will no longer be required. It should be noted that, unlike air transport, maritime passenger tickets are frequently purchased close to the scheduled departure time. Given this operational reality, the platform enables a faster purchasing process for residents, reducing queues at ticket offices, as residency verification is completed in advance. To date, 13,318 citizens have registered on the platform. Data Security Atlânticoline’s primary concern regarding the resident registration platform has been to ensure the protection of citizens’ personal data. All personal information is stored in encrypted form within the database, ensuring high standards of security and confidentiality. The automated validation of residency through the Residente Açores platform is carried out exclusively via Atlânticoline’s reservation system and official website. All communications are secured through SSL connections, with an additional authentication layer between systems, further strengthening data protection safeguards. The collection and processing of personal data comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR, as they are carried out under a lawful basis established by the Public Service Contract for Passenger and Vehicle Maritime Transport in the Region and by the applicable maritime transport safety legislation. Data processing is strictly limited to the booking and purchase of tickets with Atlânticoline. Fast and Accessible Registration for All Citizens Another key objective was to ensure that registration would be simple and accessible to all citizens. Registration may be completed online via residenteacores.pt, by submitting a tax domicile certificate, easily obtained through the Portuguese Tax Authority portal. Citizens may also register at Atlânticoline shops and ticket offices, where registration can be completed through electronic reading of the Citizen Card. To further expand registration points, Atlânticoline benefits from the partnership of the Integrated Citizen Support Network, RIAC. Citizens may therefore register at any of the 54 RIAC service centres located across all islands of the Region. Parish Councils may also provide registration services. To date, the Parish Councils of Salão, Matriz and Praia do Norte on Faial, Santa Luzia on Pico, Agualva on Terceira and Achadinha on São Miguel have joined the initiative. Partner travel agencies may likewise register their clients. To date, Panazorica, Via São Jorge and Viavitória have adhered to this service. Parish Councils and travel agencies wishing to provide this service may request participation by contacting Atlânticoline at comercial@atlanticoline.pt. New Boarding Requirements With the introduction of differentiated fares for residents and non-residents, all Atlânticoline tickets are now issued on a nominal basis. For the purchase of a Resident Fare ticket, the passenger’s tax identification number must be provided at the time of purchase. At embarkation, all passengers, whether residents or non-residents, must present a valid identification document. Ticket purchases at ticket offices may require additional processing time. Passengers are therefore advised to purchase tickets in advance in order to comply with the established boarding deadlines.