The Balearic government which presides over popular Marga Prohens has conditioned free public transport in the Balearic Islands for next year on the amount allocated by the Government of Pedro Sánchez.
“The question that must be answered is whether the State will put on the table an amount significantly higher than 43 million euros,” declared the spokesperson and vice-president of the regional executive. Anthony Costaduring the press conference after the Governing Council, after being asked about OKDIARIO about the problem.
In this sense, Costa stressed that the government’s approach to free public transport consists of “making the 43 million pay this year”, criticizing that from today Today, this reality is “an unknown”.
However, he indicated that this amount would not be enough for 2025, since the number of users has increased and the deficit is more than 43 million euros. “43 million are no longer useful to us”the spokesperson reiterated.
Free from 2023
The previous government chaired by socialist Francina Armengol announced a few months before the regional elections in May 2023 that all public transport in the Balearic Islands would be free from January 1 of the same year.
The trips with EMT Palma and TIB were free from January 1, 2023 for all people using the corresponding transport card. The citizen card for EMT Palma buses and the TIB card for transport on Balearic Islands Transport buses.
In 2024, the government of Pedro Sánchez extended free public transport, but as the spokesperson for the Balearic government recalled on Friday, The Central Executive still owes the Balearics 43 million euros corresponding to this year.
Gratification depends on Pedro Sánchez
This same week, the Regional Executive reminded the PSOE of the Balearic Islands that it cannot make any decisions regarding the free public transport in the islands because it is a matter that depends directly on the socialist government of Spain Pedro Sanchez.
This is what the Minister of Housing, Territory and Mobility declared, Jose Luis Mateowho criticized the Balearic PSOE for not having applied said bonus during the last two legislatures in which he presided over the government with Francine Armengol at the head of the regional executive.
“If they were so clear that this measure was so necessary and essential, Why did the government not apply it for eight years and let two legislatures pass?», replied the advisor popular to the socialist deputy Ares Fernández.
New public transport card
It must be remembered that Mallorca will implement in 2026 A single public transport card throughout the island, including palmfor train, bus and metro, which will replace the current citizen card in the case of the Balearic capital and will also include the possibility of paying with a credit card on the EMT bus network.
This was announced this Tuesday during a press conference by the Minister of Housing, Territory and Mobility, Jose Luis Mateoand the mobility advisor of Palma City Hall, Tony Deuderowho presented the collaboration agreement between the Mallorca Transport Consortium (CTM) and the EMT.
A collaboration agreement for the technological and pricing integration services of the TIB network (train, metro and intercity bus) and the urban bus network of the EMT of Palma. Upon signing this agreement, the the integration process is expected to come into effect in 2026. This process will allow, among other improvements, that EMT users can pay for the bus ticket by bank card, as is already the case in the TIB network, under regional jurisdiction.
