The Generalitat extends public transport discounts through June
The Valencian government has renewed the public transport discounts until the end of June. Salomé Pradas, Minister of Environment, Water, Infrastructure and Land, announced after the Consell’s general assembly that a decree was issued to continue this aid, offering free subscriptions to those under 31 and a 50% discount on all tickets for older and other travelers. Official figures put the cost of the measure at 18.4 million euros.
Pradas underscored that the move reinforces the administration’s commitment to sustainable public transport. She noted that the central government had taken the lead in keeping these reductions despite uncertainties, while also highlighting a earlier lack of information. Pedro Sánchez announced a related measure during discussions about his appointment. [Fuente: Consell de la Generalitat]
Lack of information
“We are waiting to see how it will unfold. After a month, there is still no clear form or timing, so we have extended it on the same terms,” stated the popular leader. Those who already hold a youth voucher must renew it at Metrovalencia and TRAM automatic ticket machines in Alicante and at TRAM Customer Service in Castellón. Since the 50% discount on multi-trip tickets is applied directly, users can rely on Castellón TRAM, Metrobús, Metrovalencia, Alicante TRAM and the urban and intercity bus networks.
The Generalitat estimates a six-month cost of implementing these two reductions aimed at promoting public transport. This investment is reported as 18.4 million euros. [Fuente: Consell de la Generalitat]
Supporters point to the initiative as a successful investment. Data from a consulting firm shows that the balance of the program in recent months supported the decision to extend it for another six months. Pradas noted that 18 million trips were made on the Generalitat’s public transport between July and December, a period during which Valencian families saved about 15 million euros.
In explaining the extension, Pradas emphasized that while uncertainties about state measures and their financing remain unresolved, the Consell intends to safeguard the continuity of the discounts. [Fuente: Consell de la Generalitat]
Recently, political groups PP and Vox annulled two PSPV amendments in the Cortes that had called for extending these reductions; the Consell has since approved the extension.
Change in urban planning law to speed up projects and attract more investment
yesterday the Consell General Assembly voted to amend the Regional Planning, Urban Planning and Landscape Act (Lotup). The reform removes the mandatory prior consultation for strategic regional plans (PTE). The Consell will decide whether investments planned for urban land, already foreseen in general plans, should be announced publicly in advance and described succinctly. An example mentioned was the Sagunt gigafactory. These changes distinguish PTEs from sustainable strategic investment projects (PIEs), which are proposed on land that cannot be developed and require more comprehensive procedures.
The Lotup amendment, supported by Minister Isabel Bonig and revised under Botànic, was justified by Pradas as a way to unlock investments that were not formalized previously. The exact projects affected were not specified.
The aim is to accelerate and simplify the processing of strategic territory plans to achieve faster outcomes and reduce the risk of delays. Pradas stated that the Valencian Community is becoming one of the most attractive regions for both national and international investment. By restricting prior public consultation to only PTEs, the Consell seeks to streamline proceedings while maintaining transparency where appropriate. The approach aims to prevent potential delays in land acquisition and protect investment confidentiality when needed.
“We want the Valencian Community to become more attractive for investments and to facilitate streamlined procedures for these projects,” added Pradas. A consultant noted that the region could become a welcoming environment for employment-generating investment that respects sustainable development. [Fuente: Consell de la Generalitat]