The Department of Mobility will have $581.7 million to "boost rail as a means of transport"
Much of the investment will be devoted to the construction and improvement of railway infrastructures, the interoperability of Bat, Barik and Mugi cards and the establishment of free transport for up to 12 years as structural.
Councilwoman Susana Garcia Chueca has presented her budgets to Parliament.
Most of the budget of the Department of Sustainable Mobilityof the Basque Government 2026 is allocated to the construction and improvementof rail services and infrastructure, with the aim of "promoting the train as a means of citizen transport".
Counsellor Susana García Chueca has detailed next year's accounts in the Basque Parliament, which amount to EUR 581.7 million , an increase of 2.5% over the previous year.
The Councillor has stressed that the accounts are aimed at "structuring at a territorial and social level", extending the rail and tram network, improving and maintaining existing infrastructures and promoting sustainable mobility and the use of public transport, developing initiatives to ensure access for all citizens.
On the one hand, the Transport Infrastructure Directorate will have EUR259.5 million to continue implementing the infrastructure that is being implemented, planning new infrastructure and maintaining and improving existing ones through the public body Euskal Trenbide Sarea.
Among the priorities, the Councillor has mentioned the works of Line 5 of the Bilbao Metropolitan Railway, the construction of a new Bilbao tram station in Los Caños, the start of the extension of the Vitoria tram to the Zabalgana district and the completion and operation of the underground passage of the Mole of San Sebastián.
The draft budget also provides for the development of future infrastructure projects for sustainable mobility and the renovation and maintenance of existing ones.
On the other hand, the Sustainable Mobility Strategy Directorate will have EUR250.4 million to 'boost train and tram', among other things.
In this regard, EUR 130 million will be earmarked for the Euskotren service in the Basque Country's own network and EUR 92.8 million for the recently transferred Renfe suburban service, of which EUR 3.4 million will be earmarked for the development of the Llanada Alavesa suburban service.
García Chueca has stressed that one of the "great challenges" of the "Sustainable Mobility Plan" is to promote tariff integration . In his words, they aim at a "unitary model" but with "territorial peculiarities" and "rewarding those who use public transport most with more discounts."
Another point that he has highlighted is that of bonuses, which will be allocated 9.1 million and which, among other things, will make it structural for people up to the age of 12 to have free public transport.
You might like
Volkswagen will cut 50,000 more jobs, half in Germany and the rest in Europe
The Volkswagen group is in crisis due to strong competition from Chinese manufacturers in Europe, declining sales in China and tariffs in the United States.
France announces aid to farmers affected by drought
Farmers' representatives will meet next week with the French Ministry of Agriculture to convey their demands. The effects of drought and heat are being felt economically, but also physically and mentally.
A worker died in an accident at a winery in Lanciego
The incident took place around 12:20 p.m. and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated. Emergency services have been moved to the scene, but the operator's life has not been saved.
A new tax on fast and cheap clothing is introduced in France
Asian giants like Shein or Temu will now have to pay penalty rates of between 50 cents and 12 euros per garment.
The diesel discount goes up to 20 cents per litre, and the gasoline discount goes down to 5 cents
The tax rebate on diesel has doubled since today, while petrol has halved.
The Basque Government will meet again this Tuesday with farmers to assess the impact of the drought
Agricultural associations and trade unions, among others, want the ACV to be declared a drought zone and special measures to be taken. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. at the headquarters of the Basque Government in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Trade unions and employers sign the first agreement on nursing homes in Navarre
After more than five years of negotiations, trade unions and employers have signed the agreement today, which will involve more than 5,000 workers.
The electricity bill has risen 19% in August, reaching its highest level since 2022
Rising demand in heat waves and rising natural gas prices will make an average user's receipt about EUR 14 more expensive.
The 20 cent diesel rebate will come into effect on Tuesday
The measure, which has so far been reduced by 10 cents per litre, aims to combat fuel prices by 15.7% in July.
The September hill this year will be one of the hardest in years
With the return to work, the families of the Basque Country face another reality, which is that this year's September hill will be one of the hardest in recent years, as evidenced by inflation at 4.3%, a figure not seen since February 2023.