The Balearic Government has approved the authorization of the payment of 43 million euros corresponding to the state subsidy for free public transport in 2024. Of the total amount, Ibiza and Formentera will receive about 6 million euros.
The spokesman of the Govern, Antoni Costa, explained that, although the item was approved in February 2024, the central government has not transferred the funds until early 2025, which has forced local administrations to finance the free transport with their own resources. In this sense, Costa has insisted that the State must speed up the arrival of these funds to avoid overburdening the island institutions with expenses that do not correspond to them.
How are the funds distributed in the Balearic Islands?
In February last year, the Consell de Govern approved the distribution of 43 million euros in state funds. Of this amount, 18.8 million will go to EMT for Palma’s buses; 14.6 million will go to the bodies responsible for transport of autonomous competence, which include the TIB bus, as well as the train and metro of Mallorca. In addition, specific funds will be allocated for bus services on each island: 5.6 million to the Consell de Eivissa, 3.5 million to the Consell de Mallorca and 0.42 million to the Consell de Formentera. “The authorization for the payment corresponding to the latter is in process and is expected to be approved soon,” the Govern’s communiqué indicates. From the Consell de Ibiza, they have stressed that free transport is essential to ensure mobility, especially during high season, when demand for buses soars. In the case of Formentera, the money will be used to maintain the operation of the service, key for residents and tourists. Meanwhile, the Govern continues to demand the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to pay the 63 million euros planned to finance the free service in the first quarter of 2025.
