The majority of Basque governments support free transport for up to 12 years

The majority of Basque public authorities support the introduction of free public transport for up to 12 years of age, a measure that has so far generally been applied up to the age of 6, the Basque government reports.

The plenary session of the Basque Transport Authority met this Wednesday in Vitoria, during a meeting in which those responsible for public transport in the autonomous community discussed the next steps to continue to promote its use among citizens.

The Minister of Sustainable Mobility and President of the ATE, Susana García Chueca, explained in the plenary that this step is part of the path begun towards a uniform model for the whole of Euskadi with discounts based on use and the socio-economic level of people.

The consultant assured that the decision to extend free transport to 12 years is a necessary measure if it is believed that public transport is an axis in the fight against climate change.

The measure could have a direct impact on 130,362 girls and boys across Euskadi: 21,955 in Álava, 65,025 in Bizkaia and 43,382 in Gipuzkoa, and their families.

The Basque government will implement this measure from January 2025 in the transport it operates directly through the public company Euskotren – the Vitoria and Bilbao trams – and in the railway lines between Bilbao and Hendaia.

The provincial delegate of Álava on this issue, Jon Nogales, voted in favor of its implementation in Alavabus, as did the provincial delegates of Bizkaia, Sonia Pérez Ezquerra, and Gipuzkoa, Azahara Domínguez, as well as the Councilor for Sustainable Mobility of Bilbao. Nora Abete, are in favor of the implementation of the measure.

In the case of Gipuzkoa, the Provincial Council will put this issue to a vote within the Territorial Transport Authority of Gipuzkoa.

This measure has already been implemented by the Vitorian city bus operator Tuvisa since the end of 2022.