In 2026, residents of Catalonia will continue to benefit from a 50 percent discount on public transportation fares. The decision was reached following negotiations between the regional government and the Comunes party. Party leader Jéssica Albiach announced this at a press conference, noting that the agreement was reached after a meeting with advisor and government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque.
The discount will remain in place for all major forms of urban and suburban transport: metro, Rodalies trains, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat lines, trams, and buses. This decision comes after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently announced a unified transportation pass priced at €60 (and €30 for those under 26) valid throughout Spain. Albiach emphasized that the two proposals do not overlap but will complement each other, as they apply to different types of transportation.
Agreement Details
According to the agreement reached, the national government will continue to subsidize 20% of the ticket cost, while the Catalan government will cover the remaining 30%. This means the total discount for passengers will remain at 50%. Albiach noted that this measure will help thousands of families save significant amounts, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.
In particular, the youth card T-Jove, which allows unlimited travel for three months, will remain at its current price of €44. The T-Usual pass, used by many local residents, will also keep its price at €22. Without the agreement, prices for these tickets could have doubled.
Impact on fares
So far, official fares for next year have not been announced — they will be approved by the Autonomous Transport Authority (ATM) after taking inflation into account. This year, the consumer price index rose by 3%, which could affect the final cost of travel. However, authorities assure that basic discounts will be maintained regardless of inflation fluctuations.
Last week, Sílvia Paneque confirmed that youth discounts would be preserved, but the issue of discounts on the most popular passes — T-Casual and T-Usual — remained unresolved. Government leader Salvador Illa also raised doubts about the possibility of making all types of travel free, citing a limited budget.
Political context
Maintaining the discount was one of the key demands by the Comunes party to start negotiations on Catalonia’s 2026 budget. After reaching an agreement on transport, the party now demands a meeting to discuss the fulfillment of agreements on additional funding for healthcare and education. In addition, Comunes insist on introducing fines in accordance with the housing law, which has been in effect for a year but has yet to be enforced.
Jéssica Albiach noted that, given the current economic conditions, canceling transport discounts would be unacceptable for many families. She emphasized that maintaining accessible public transport is an important step for social protection and reducing household expenses.
What’s next
Details of the agreement and the new fares are expected to be announced after the government’s executive council meeting. For now, passengers can be assured: in 2026, they will continue to benefit from the usual travel discounts. Authorities in Catalonia and the Comunes party believe this decision will help soften the impact of inflation and support residents during these challenging times.
