The Council of Ministers has carried out a package of measures to try to correct the effects that the energy crisis and inflation are generating in various sectors and Spanish households. From the VAT reduction on some food productsgoing through the rent freeze and reaching other measures that already existed and that are extended for next year, with some changes, such as public transport discounts.
In this way, the Government continues to offer free commuter, medium-distance and Rodalies train passes and long-distance state-concessed buses. In addition, the Executive will also reach out to those regions and municipalities in which transport costs do not depend directly on the State, but with a very clear condition: andThe Government will reduce public transport fares by up to 30%or in those territories in which their rulers complement it up to 50%.
It should be remembered that until now the Executive was in charge of subsidizing 30% in the communities and municipalities, regardless of whether or not they extended the aid for the new year. However, now the situation changes, since if they did not subsidize up to 50%, the Government will not cover that remaining 30% covered by the State.
A few days before the end of the year, communities have just enough time to decide what they will do in their respective territories. Some already have their position clear, while others are still studying different alternatives.
Catalonia
The regional authority has decided keep 20% discount additional to the 30% of the government during the next year. Therefore, the monthly transport card that integrates the bus, the metro, the tram and all kinds of modalities, including the youth card, will continue with the 50% discount.
Of course, those who have the Casual card will not be able to benefit of the 30% discount as they had done up to now. In this case, the regional government has opted to help recurring users.
Basque Country
Euskadi will be another of the regions that has wanted continue with transportation discounts contributing its 20% of aid to the central government. Something that the regional authorities already alerted a few weeks ago and assured that they would try to maintain it for at least the first six months of 2023.
Navarra
Navarra is another of the territories that during the first half of next year has decided to apply the 50% discount on the price of public transport tickets. Although this reduction will only be applied to multi-trip vouchers and tickets, thus excluding round-trip tickets.
Valencian Community
In this case, the Generalitat has stated that yes, the 50% discount will apply on all subscription rates and multi-trip tickets for public transport during the first months of 2023. It is yet to be confirmed whether users will also be able to benefit from these discounts on tickets to travel on urban buses.
Murcia
The Government of Murcia already made its position clear last month by confirming that would extend the 30% bonus until June 2023 with the aim of promoting a change in customs and mobility among citizens. Even so, they remain cautious and await the publication of the Official State Gazette (BOE) to read the fine print of this extension.
Canary and Balearic Islands
In the case of archipelagos, there are some important nuances to take into account. Being island territories, the State will fully finance the urban public transport to make it free to all users. Of course, this aid can only be enjoyed by regular travelers, leaving the requirements that they must meet in order to be considered “recurring passengers” in the hands of the communities.
The Rioja
La Rioja is another of the regions that has decided maintain the 50% discounts during 2023 in the prices of public transport, although in its package it leaves out the urban buses of the city of Logroño.
Aragon
Aragon is one of the regions that is studying its options and we hope to know more details in the next few hours.
Madrid
After a long wait, the Community of Madrid has finally decided to extend the discounts for public transport throughout the territory. However, the surprise has come when Isabel Díaz Ayuso has assured that as of next February it will cover up to 60% and not 50% of the travel tickets.
Andalusia
Andalusia is one of the few territories in this regard that has not been benefiting from the reduction in public transport launched by the Executive. However, after learning of the announcement of its extension until 2023, the board and, therefore, its president Juanma Moreno have not officially ruled on the matter.
Castile and Leon
Until now, it was another of the communities that has not been subsidizing public transport. They have not spoken about it either.
Castilla la Mancha
The regional government has applied a 50% discount to public transport passes during these months, but it is still unknown if they will extend this measure into the next year.
Cantabria
The Cantabria region will study the Executive’s measure and surely in the next few hours we will know new details.
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