The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma) announces a free multi-trip ticket program for regular public transport services provided by state-owned road passenger services. The benefit applies to journeys with a fixed origin and destination and remains valid at every starting point and final stop. The period runs from 1 February to 31 December 2023. During this time, recurring users of the state concession for routes with specific origin-destination pairs will travel with a 100% bonus on the fare, replacing the previous 50% level on a set of 42 routes. The 50% discount continues through January while the new arrangement takes effect.
Why is that?
The measure stems from a decree addressing the energy crisis approved by the Council of Ministers on December 27. The government justifies the move by noting that rising fuel costs have had a very significant impact on the ability of citizens to manage transportation expenses tied to daily mobility for work, as well as essential services such as family care and medical needs.
The ministry adds that persisting high costs could push people away from using private cars for daily commuting. This trend would carry external costs like pollution. The 100% bonus extends to long-distance buses, following the government’s earlier decision to provide free suburban rail services.
When?
The measures take effect on 1 February 2023 and run through the end of the year. They are offered in three periods: 1 February to 30 April 2023; 1 May to 31 August 2023; and 1 September to 31 December 2023.
How?
Personal, non-transferable multi-trip tickets are issued for each period. A separate multi-trip ticket is required for each route with a designated origin-destination pair.
Recurring trips must be covered by the multi-trip pass, and a deposit is required. The deposit is refunded after the traveler makes the specified number of trips: 12 times in the first quarter of 2023 and 16 times in the second and third quarters. If the route does not achieve the required frequency, the deposit is returned at the end of the period.
Deposit and recovery of deposit
The deposit amount correlates to the price of a single ticket without the bonus, ranging from 20 to 65 euros. Specifically, deposits are set at 20 euros for trips with a base price up to 5 euros; 35 euros for prices between 5.01 and 13 euros; 50 euros for prices between 13.01 and 25 euros; and 65 euros for journeys exceeding 25 euros.
What types of routes does it affect?
The measure applies to government-managed public road transport contracts and covers 42 lines, including several routes with stops in Catalonia such as Lleida-Huesca, Barcelona-Huesca, Madrid-Badalona, and Teruel-Barcelona, among others like Tarragona, Zaragoza-Castellón, Viella-Lleida, Lleida-Molina de Aragon, Madrid-Zaragoza-Barcelona, Santander-Barcelona, Seville-Manresa, and Santiago de Compostela-Barcelona.
Procedure
The Mitma decision states that concessionaires will issue multi-trip passes to interested travelers through regular sales channels. Tickets will be available in advance from the effective date for the entire validity period. The concessionaire may not charge administrative fees for issuing multi-trip tickets or related sales.
Each multi-trip card must have a unique number and a personalized code, alongside the validity period. It will record the owner’s identity, the concession, and the origin-destination information.
Ticketing
Passengers who want to use a previously issued free voucher must obtain a ticket for each journey planned. Tickets associated with a multi-trip pass must include a QR code and other details required for control. The ticket will display at least the QR code, the passenger’s identification number, and, for unidentified minors, the guardian’s name and date of birth.
Control and sanctions
The Ministry of Transport will require concessionaires to ensure compliance with marketing and usage rules to prevent abuse of the multi-trip tickets. For example, travelers will generally not be allowed to take more than one trip per direction and day unless a cancellation is made in advance.
The policy also states that using the ticket by someone other than the holder will be considered improper use. If a trip is not canceled at least 24 hours in advance, it may be treated as improper use. The government notes that, in cases of improper use, the multi-trip ticket can be withdrawn and the deposit forfeited.