Spain will introduce a single ticket for public transport, when in Italy?

The Spanish government has announced the introduction of a single ticket for public transportwhich will be valid throughout the national territory starting from 2026. The initiative, illustrated by the Minister of Transport Óscar Puente, aims to simplify access to public transport and promote more sustainable mobilityfollowing the example of countries such as Germany and Austria.

The single ticket will allow you to use regional trains, subways, trams and buses with a single monthly subscription. However, long-distance services and high-speed trains will not be included. The implementation of this measure will require complex negotiations with municipalities and autonomous communities, responsible for managing local and regional transport.

The idea is inspired by German Deutschlandticketa monthly pass of 58 euros that allows you to travel on various means of public transport throughout the country, excluding high-speed trains. A similar initiative has already been active in Austria since 2021, with the Klimaticketwhich costs 79 euros per month and also includes the possibility of traveling with children by paying a supplement.

Greenpeace’s proposal

Currently in Spain there are already regional passes, such as those of Madrid and Barcelona, ​​which allow you to travel by various public transports discounted prices thanks to government subsidies. For example, in Madrid the monthly pass has dropped to 21.80 euros thanks to temporary discounts. The objective, however, is to replace these subsidies with the new single national ticket.

According to Álvaro Fernández Heredia, secretary general of Sustainable Mobility, the single ticket represents an important opportunity to make public transport more accessible and intuitive, eliminating administrative and tariff barriers between different regions. This could encourage greater use of public transport, contributing to reduction of pollution and improving the quality of life in cities.

Greenpeace has supported this proposal since 2023, collecting over 200,000 signatures in favor of a single pass for public transport, called T-Lleva. The environmental NGO highlights that a flat monthly fee, variable between 30 and 49 euroswould encourage greater adoption of public transport and reduce dependence on cars, especially in areas outside large cities.

The path towards the adoption of the single ticket, given the need to coordinate the different skills between central government, municipalities and autonomous communities. However, if implemented successfully, this initiative could represent a significant turning point for sustainable mobility in Spain from which other nations should also take an example.