Free public transport in Ibiza and the rest of the Balearic Islands is one step closer to becoming a reality. The Senate has approved this Wednesday the Sustainable Mobility Law, incorporating an amendment that guarantees that public transport on the islands will be free during 2026.
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The Consell awards the new contract for public transport in Ibiza, but its implementation is delayed
The text, which will now return to the Congress of Deputies, contemplates that the Balearic Government will receive state aid to fully cover the cost of season tickets and multi-journey tickets, thus applying a 100% discount for users. The funding will come from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which will recognize the insular nature of both the Balearic and Canary Islands.
The amendment that would allow maintaining free transport was presented by the senator for Ibiza and Formentera, Juanjo Ferrer and did not have the support of the PSOE, the main party of the coalition he led in the last General Elections.
For his part, Balearic Senator Miquel Jerez stressed that “the PP has been decisive in providing stability and continuity to a measure that improves the lives of thousands of citizens”, and expressed his confidence that Congress will respect “the will expressed by the Senate”.
Congress will have the final say
After the approval in the Upper House with more than 80 amendments of the PP, the text will return to Congress, where it will be decided whether the measure will be definitively included in the law. If it is maintained, residents of Ibiza and the rest of the islands will be able to continue enjoying free public transport also in 2026.
The vote in the Senate went ahead with 113 votes in favor. In addition to the PSOE, Vox also voted against. The law will be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) once it has passed this last step.
More changes: trains, airports and electric mobility
In addition to free transport in the Balearic Islands, the Senate has supported other relevant proposals of the PP, such as recovering compensation for Renfe delays, freezing Aena airport taxes until 2031 or repealing the schedule for the closure of nuclear power plants.
The Sustainable Mobility Law, one of the Government’s commitments with the European Commission to access European funds, also includes the obligation to install electric recharging points at gas stations, and increases the number of companies required to have sustainable mobility plans.
