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Canary Islands secures €47.5m for free public transport in 2026
The Council of Ministers has approved at its session this Tuesday the Royal Decree providing for the direct award of subsidies to finance metropolitan collective public transport in various regions, including the Canary Islands, for 2026.
The State will therefore transfer €47.5 million to the Government of the Canary Islands to fund free collective transport across the archipelago during the 2026 financial year, the same amount already approved for the previous year, according to the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
Funding also covers Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia
As well as collective transport in the Canary Islands, the Royal Decree also grants funds to finance the Regional Transport Consortium of Madrid, the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Barcelona and the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Valencia.
“Regular passenger transport in these metropolitan or island areas is characterised by a significant volume of affected population, a high intensity of journeys, the participation of several administrations in its management and the impact of its operation on general economic activity and on various sectors,” the Ministry highlighted.
An essential public service
The department notes that public transport has the status of an essential public service owing to its “notable” impact on how life develops in these territories, but also on economic, professional and social activities.
“Meeting the mobility needs of a significant volume of population justifies this financing, which contributes to the ordinary operation of this essential public service,” the Ministry concluded.
Ten working days to apply once the decree takes effect
Once this Royal Decree comes into force, beneficiaries will have a period of ten working days to submit their applications and the rest of the required documentation, and the resolution granting these aids will have a maximum period of 45 days.
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