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Spain extends public transport discounts until June 2025

Free commuter trains, 50% off bus and metro tickets and train discounts will continue throughout Spain until the end of June

With 2025 shaping up to be a very expensive year for consumers, there is finally some good news with the announcement that the government will extend the public transport subsidies into next year after all.

The current system, which was introduced in 2022 to help households cope with rising costs, was due to expire on December 31 and the Spanish government said that discounts would only apply to certain groups, including young people and frequent users.

However, policy makers have reached a last-minute decision to extend public transport bonuses for another six months, until June 30, 2025. The law will be formally approved on Monday December 23.

From then on, another formula will come into force, which will no longer benefit the entire population, although Government sources point out that they will continue to be "quite universal".

So, for now, commuter and medium-distance trains will continue to be completely free for all, and frequent users of Avant trains will enjoy a 50% discount. The government will subsidise 30% of the cost of metro and city bus services, and local town halls will be asked to make up another 20%, meaning that tickets will be half price.

In addition to alleviating the burden on households caused by runaway inflation, the discounts were designed to encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars. However, this objective has been much less effective, and the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, believes that the government must invest more money in improving the public transport service.

Back in October, Mr Puente said he believes that the average traveller wouldn’t mind paying more for their train or bus once the service is efficient, comfortable and punctual.

"If the bus user who pays 0.36 euros to use it is told that they can pay 0.70 euros but with better service, they will surely say that they prefer it," he said.

"I am one of those who believe that we will gain users in public transport, not based on the price of the ticket , which is already quite low, especially compared to private vehicles, but if we offer users more quality and frequencies ," he added.

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