A web and app platform will offer free subscriptions with Renfe; already more than 200,000 people have registered. This was outlined by the Transport Minister, Raquel Sánchez.
In an interview with Rac1, the minister stated on Tuesday that although this free Renfe season-ticket measure faced initial criticism from some autonomous communities, such as Catalonia and Madrid, they eventually joined and accepted the aid, with the ministry contributing 30% to help extend support for other modes of transport in those regions.
The minister recalled that the ministry has already announced an investment plan exceeding 1 billion euros to improve access and ensure top-tier service across the infrastructures on AP7 and AP2, with more than 30 of the 42 planned actions already outlined.
He noted on Monday afternoon, while returning from Girona via AP7, that traffic flow was functioning as expected and that coordination had contributed to positive results, highlighting ongoing improvements through collaborative efforts with the operating authorities.
On the topic of the El Prat expansion, Sánchez commented that the government remains committed to turning the airport into an intercontinental hub, describing the project as essential. He added that the Generalitat will need to express its position, yet there appear to be recurring inconsistencies within the project as it moves through the government’s processes.
He underscored that the government is ready whenever the Generalitat signals it wants to engage in dialogue.
Regarding the Ryanair strike, the minister clarified that it is not his role to mediate a labor dispute, but to ensure the smooth operation of airports.
In this context, he emphasized that Spanish airports are performing well because, unlike some European systems, ERTE measures in Spain protect workers from layoffs, contributing to stable operations across the network.