María Jesús Montero, the Minister of Finance and Public Function, announced on Tuesday that Renfe Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia subscriptions will remain free for the time being in 2023. The statement came during a press conference after presenting the Cabinet of Ministers with the green light for the General State Budgets (PGE) for the upcoming year.
The minister underscored that the measure will be expanded and its impact tracked as a structural policy aimed at sustainability and lowering pollutant emissions. The objective is to encourage the use of public transport over private cars, aligning with broader climate and energy security goals.
Specifically, the PGE will include an allocation of 700 million euros for the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. Most of this funding is dedicated to the free travel initiative, with the total investment expected to rise by about 41.2 percent from the previous year, concentrating resources around 700 million euros.
Montero noted that the current focus is on the Cercanías network (Rodalies in Catalonia) and Media Distancia services run by Renfe, the public company under the Ministry of Transport. The plan also contemplated extending the 30 percent discount on city transport cards, with potential extensions to be evaluated in the near future.
Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez echoed the sentiment on social media, stating that the PGE 2023 will continue to promote public transport to reduce emissions, cut energy dependence and ease families’ budgets.
In September, the first month of operation under the measure, about 1.5 million free vouchers were issued. Data showed a 40 percent increase in journeys on Media Distancia trains compared with the same month last year and a 24 percent rise on Cercanías services.
These improvements translate into environmental savings. The government estimates that gasoline consumption could be reduced by 118 million liters, and carbon dioxide emissions could drop by as much as 360,000 tons compared with if all those trips had been made by car.
Youth housing initiatives
The minister also mentioned the ongoing plan to consolidate a Junior Lease Bond in 2023, backed by a budget of 200 million euros. In addition, there is a commitment to a 260 million euro Accessible Rental program.
In total, the Ministry of Housing is slated to deploy 3,472 million euros in housing measures as part of a broader effort to strengthen the market for affordable living.
The youth rental grant provides 250 euros per month for two years to individuals aged 18 to 35 with income below three times the Iprem threshold and renting a home at 600 euros per month or less (up to 900 euros in some regions) or a room up to 300 euros (expandable to 450 euros). These figures reflect the government’s aim to support young people entering the housing market while preserving regional flexibility. [Citation: Government of Spain, Budgetary Press Conference]””,title”:”Spain’s 2023 Budget Expands Free Rail Passes and Youth Housing Aid””,meta_title_variants”:[“Spain’s 2023 Budget Expands Free Rail Passes””,Public Transport Boost in Spain’s 2023 Budget””,Spain Funds Rail Passes and Youth Housing Aid”]”,meta_description_variants”:[“Spain’s 2023 budget extends free rail passes on Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia, with 700M for transport and a strong housing aid push.””,New PGE 2023 allocates 700M for rail subsidies and 260M for accessible rental, plus a 250€ youth housing grant for renters under 35.”]}{