Public transport users in Spain have some good news to celebrate: the government has decided to extend the discounts on transport fares for another six months. Originally, the plan was to phase out these reductions, but after a last-minute deal, that’s no longer the case. The discounts will now last until June 30, 2025.

The Discount Situation So Far

Since 2022, public transport in Spain has been heavily discounted, with some services even being completely free under specific conditions. In 2024, discounts have reached up to 60%, such as on the monthly transport pass in Madrid, which includes cuts from both the central and regional governments. Additionally, free passes for Renfe Cercanías and Media Distancia trains (Medium Distance Trains) have been available for frequent users.

What Happens Next?

While the government had initially planned to end the general subsidies by January 1, 2025, only covering a smaller portion of the population, this new agreement with Podemos means that current pricing will remain unchanged until June 2025. This includes the free Cercanías, Media Distancia, and Avant trains for frequent users, which are fully funded by the state.

A Deal with Podemos

This extension came about as part of a deal between the government and Podemos to secure their support for a judicial reform law. So, for now, commuters can enjoy the same transport fares until mid-2025, avoiding the government’s plan to reduce the discounts that currently range from 50-60% (with the state covering 30% and regional governments covering the rest).

What’s Next?

For the next six months, things stay the same. After June 2025, it’s still unclear what will happen, but for now, commuters can rest easy knowing they won’t be facing higher fares any time soon.

Main image: Pexels/Ruslan Khimrad