Spain has a new plan for 2023: A wide range of long-distance and regional bus routes will provide free rides for regular customers, a move that is expected to save over 350 million litres of gasoline and prevent a million tons of CO2 emissions—as well as saving a family of four between €1800 and €3000.
That's a jump from a similar subsidy introduced on Sept. 1 that cut rates by 50%. The new fares take effect on January 1. While the plan does not include all bus routes in the country, only those paid for by the Transport Ministry, it does include routes that serve 2,399 neighborhoods in 1,837 municipalities. It's intended to ease the cost of living as well as help the environment.
To be eligible for the tickets, passengers must buy a multi-journey ticket good for 10, 20 or 30 trips, and pay a €20 deposit. If enough trips are used within the specified time, the deposit is returned. A similar deal exists on Cercanias and Rodalies medium- and long-distance trains.
Spain is only the latest of a number of countries experimenting with making travel cheaper on public transport in order to reduce travel by car. Austria has a €365 a year all-in local transport fare, and Germany is preparing to follow up last summer's €9 per month special with a permanent €49 a month nationwide subscription ticket for local and regional transport.
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