Buses will not be free for everyone. Who will benefit from January?
The State Budget for 2023 includes an amount of 81 million euros to subsidise free buses and tram journeys in the Canary Islands, but there is only 100% discount on certain travel cards and not everyone will benefit from this measure.
The Minister of Transport for the Canary Islands Government, Sebastián Franquis, announced some details of the agreement after meeting with the insular directors of Transport and other representatives of the seven islands on November 17th, to address the scope of the application of this help for people during the cost of living crisis.
Who will benefit?
Franquis explained to them that the agreement allows frequent travellers with monthly Bono cards to travel free on buses and trams in the Canary Islands, but will not be available to non-residents or sporadic travellers.
Passengers who have monthly subscription travel cards will be the ones who will be benefit from free public transport, meaning anyone without one, must pay the full cost of the trip.
When does it come into force?
The measure comes into force on 1st January 2023.
In addition to the 81 million euros subsidy, the Government of the Canary Islands and the island cabildos are demanding additional financing from the Ministry of Transport to buy 130 new buses, employ more drivers, and to cover the cost for the technical adaptations necessary to implement the measure.
The representatives all agree that free buses and trams is a good thing but that it poses a series of difficulties, especially the limited margin they will have to put it into practice, in addition to an increase in costs directly related to the increase in demand.
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