Barcelona’s metropolitan public transport system has shattered its previous ridership records, registering an unprecedented 1.191 billion journeys in 2025. The figure marks a 2% increase on 2024 and cements the network’s position as the cornerstone of mobility for the city and its surrounding areas.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) released data showing the system’s robust health and growing reliance by residents. This consortium, managed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Barcelona City Council, and the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB), has overseen a period of significant transformation in user habits, driven by strategic fare policies and technological upgrades.
The Triumph of Flat-Rate Fares
A profound shift in how passengers pay for their travel underpins this new record. The ATM report, initially detailed by Metrópoli Abierta, indicates that fare subsidy policies introduced in 2022 have successfully encouraged passenger loyalty. Now, nearly 80% of all validations use a discounted travel card.
The T-Usual monthly pass is the system’s star performer, accounting for 39% of all journeys. The T-Jove for under-30s follows, making up 23% of trips. Its popularity has soared since authorities unified its price to a single-zone fare, regardless of the distance travelled across the integrated network.
Combined, flat-rate passes-including the T-Usual, T-Jove, T-16 for children, and other cards for specific groups like pensioners-now represent an overwhelming 87% of all integrated ticket usage. In contrast, occasional multi-trip options like the T-Casual and T-Familiar hold a mere 13% share. This marks a stark change from 2019, before the pandemic, when these regular-use passes accounted for only 38% of the total.
T-Mobilitat Becomes the Standard
In 2025, T-Mobilitat, Barcelona’s contactless and digital ticketing system, definitively consolidated its position. The new system now handles over 92% of all network validations, with 3.4 million users registered.
On an average weekday, the T-Mobilitat system records a staggering 3.6 million validations, an increase of 400,000 daily journeys compared to 2024. As the system becomes ubiquitous, authorities are already planning for the future; a project is underway to replace all old ticket machines by 2028.
Despite the system’s digital nature, most users still prefer a physical card. The rigid plastic T-Mobilitat card is the format of choice for 57% of passengers, while 38% use the rechargeable cardboard version. Validating directly with a mobile phone remains a niche option, used by just 5% of travellers.
Sustaining a Growing Network
The record-breaking ridership highlights the success of policies aimed at making public transport more accessible and convenient. However, this also places greater strain on infrastructure and services. In response to the increased usage, transport authorities have already committed to greater investment, including a recent decision to raise the Metro’s cleaning budget by €45 million to maintain standards.
The push for a more sustainable and efficient network is also evident in fleet renewals, such as the recent addition of 14 new electric buses to the metropolitan fleet. These efforts are part of a broader urban mobility strategy that also encourages other forms of sustainable transport; for instance, the city’s AMBici bike-sharing service recently celebrated two million trips.
