Catalan government officials warn that continuing to subsidise all public transport fares at 50% is financially unsustainable.

Consequently, they argue this policy is incompatible with the necessary investment to improve services.

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This stark warning comes as a key budget negotiation with left-wing allies grows increasingly tense.

The government’s spokesperson, Sílvia Paneque, confirmed the discount would remain for the youth travel card (T-Jove). However, she left the future of the T-usual and T-casual cards in doubt. The administration is now considering targeting subsidies specifically at vulnerable groups who rely on transport for work.

Catalan Government Seeks Sustainable Transport Funding

President Salvador Illa emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility during a parliamentary session last Friday. He stated the government could not guarantee everything would remain free. “We have to do the numbers. Be reasonable,” he told Jèssica Albiach, leader of the Comuns party.

Albiach countered that without the subsidy, essential for workers, her party would not negotiate the budget. She highlighted that a monthly pass from Terrassa to Barcelona could double from €42 to €84. This financial pressure on commuters is a central point of contention, reflecting broader cost of living challenges in the city.

Paneque outlined the government’s position after an executive council meeting. She noted the subsidy began in 2022 as a response to fuel price spikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “It was a specific and punctual situation that does not have the same impact now,” she argued.

Furthermore, administrations have spent over €700 million on these discounts since their introduction. The government now insists that subsidies for vulnerable groups must be compatible with current and future transport investments.

For 2025, with budgets extended, the government has allocated €4 million to improve interurban frequencies. Additionally, a €20 million emergency plan is slated for 2026. Paneque stressed the need for a sustainable balance. “It would be dramatic if in the year with the most public transport users, we cannot ensure its efficacy and reliability. And for that we need resources,” she stated.

The final decision rests with the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM). This consortium, comprising the Generalitat, Barcelona City Council, and metropolitan bodies, must decide this month for new fares to take effect on 1 January. The debate underscores the difficult choices facing regional governance, much like the tensions seen in other policy areas such as the ongoing budget negotiations demanding a ban on housing speculation.

Ultimately, the government’s message is clear. “Subsidies yes, but we are going to target them at those who need them most with objective criteria,” Paneque concluded. The coming weeks will determine the cost of travel for millions of Catalans.

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