Coming and going by public transport in Spain is getting ready for a major change. Forget about the complexity of zone-based passes, geographical limits and trying to decipher which travel card is compatible with which train. The Government has set a date for what promises to be the star measure of the coming mobility: a single monthly pass with which you will be able to cross the country on certain types of transport for a flat rate.
The announcement, made by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, this Monday, has marked in red the second half of January as the moment when this new ticket will slip into the pockets of Spaniards. The objective is clear: to simplify the use of public transport and boost sustainable mobility.
A single price for state transport
The great novelty lies in the unification of the fare for state-owned services: 60 euros per month for the general public. This flat rate will allow unlimited use of all Cercanías trains (such as Rodalies in Barcelona), Media Distancia and state bus services.
The measure is shaping up to be a significant relief for the pockets of many, especially for those who are forced to make daily intercity trips. According to the Government’s own estimates, the initiative will benefit some two million users, allowing a regular traveler on routes such as Jerez-Sevilla or Vigo-Santiago to save close to 60% of his or her monthly transport costs.
Special discount for young people and the unknown of local transport
In addition, young people under 26 years of age will receive an even more advantageous deal, with a price reduced by half: 30 euros per month.
However, for this flat rate to be truly comprehensive in cities like Barcelona, there is still some way to go. For the time being,the season ticket focuses on state-run transport networks. This means that urban buses, Metro or streetcars (autonomous or local management) are initially outside this umbrella of 60 euros.
In this sense, President Sánchez has extended an invitation to the autonomous communities and city councils to progressively join this new system. If they do so, a unified and affordable transport system could be achieved that integrates the entire network, from Rodalies to the last neighborhood bus.
The announcement of this single travel card coincides with the confirmation that the other transport subsidies already in force, such as 50% discounts on season tickets and multi-journey tickets for local transport or free travel for recurrent users of Cercanías and Media Distancia, will be extended for 2026. This new ticket not only adds to, but also raises the stakes towards a simplification that the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, had already advanced at the beginning of the year, now setting the price and the definitive date. The subscription will be approved in the last Council of Ministers of the year, and it only remains to be seen if, indeed, the rest of the administrations get on board this flat rate train.