Spain to make some train journeys free from September

[John Ashworth]

Spain to make some train journeys free from September

Public transport prices on state-owned service across Spain have already been slashed in half in response to rapidly rising energy and inflation rates. Now the government has announced further 100% discounts. As of September, passengers will be able to travel across various trains operated by public train network Renfe for absolutely nothing... "This measure encourages to the maximum the use of this type of collective public transport to guarantee the needed daily commute with a safe, reliable, comfortable, economic and sustainable means of transportation, amid the extraordinary circumstances of the steady increase of energy and fuel prices," the Spanish Ministry of Transport said in a statement...

Spain isn't the only European country that's taken measures to reduce public transport costs. Last month, Germany launched a €9 ($9.50) unlimited monthly public transport ticket that can be used on local and regional transport across the country... In late 2021, Austria introduced a heavily discounted "climate ticket" valid on all modes of public transport in the country, with the aim of encouraging people to leave their cars at home...