Barcelona bus and metro fares become 30% more expensive starting today

Changes to the price of public transport is one of the main effects of the Spanish government's defeat in Congress on Wednesday.

'No' votes from pro-independence Junts, the conservative People's Party (PP), and far-right Vox led to the rejection of the government's omnibus decree, which included measures on increasing pensions in line with inflation, extending public transport subsidies, and delivering aid to communities hit by the DANA flooding late last year, among others.

With regard to public transport, subsidies of 50% of ticket prices first introduced in 2022 will expire on Thursday, bringing ticket fares to those seen in 2019.

However, Barcelona's Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) announced that they will maintain their 20% financial support to fares – covering metro, tram, and bus – meaning prices will increase by 30%.

"In case the 30% subsidies funded by the Spanish government end, the ATM will keep the subsidies approved of 20%," a statement reads, "assuring its compromise with residents and the promotion of sustainable mobility."

Spanish authorities financed 30% of the overall tickets if regional authorities added a 20% discount, bringing the subsidy to 50% of the full price. 

Meanwhile, users of the Rodalies commuter rail network, other buses and Avant medium-distance trains will have to pay "the full amount of the ticket" because the subsidies no longer have legal coverage, according to Spain's transport minister, Óscar Puente.

As the ATM has an integrated ticket system that includes metro, bus, tramway, and Rodalies, people can use and benefit from the subsidy.  

Tickets already bought at the discounted prices will remain valid, but new tickets will be charged at the higher fare from Thursday.

The Catalan government announced in December that transport discounts would be extended throughout 2025, after the Spanish government extended the subsidies for six months.

Rodalies train users in Catalonia could travel for free after paying a refundable €10 deposit, upon completing 16 trips.

No increase in pensions

If the decree had passed, pensions were to rise in 2025 by 2.8%, in line with inflation. 

Speaking outside Congress on Wednesday, presidency minister Félix Bolaños said that when 12 million pensioners see that their pension has been reduced in February, "let them remember that it was the PP accompanied by others."

But the PP, like Junts, accused the Spanish government of including too many disparate measures in one omnibus decree.

The spokesperson for Junts in Congress, Míriam Nogueras, said the pension increase is "100% guaranteed" despite the vote. "The only thing the Spanish government has to do is make a decree with this measure. It can do it tomorrow," she said.

Party leader Carles Puigdemont posted similar comments on X, formerly Twitter.

DANA aid

The omnibus decree was also to have extended loans granted to people affected by the DANA flooding in Valencia late last year, and increase aid to farmers who had land destroyed.