The new urban bus fares in Cartagena include a 40% discount on passes and multi-trip tickets
Monday, June 30, 2025 | Viewed: 741 times
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The Cartagena City Council will implement the new urban public transport fares starting tomorrow, July 1st, which include a 40% discount on passes and multi-trip tickets, as well as free travel for children up to 14 years old. The measure will be approved this Thursday at the Local Government Board and will be in effect until December 31st of this year.
This reduction, although a smaller discount compared to the first half of the year —when the discount was 60%— complies with the provisions of Royal Decree-Law 1/2025, which extends state aid to public transport, but with a reduction in its intensity. Nonetheless, a significant part of the financial effort still falls on the City Council, which funds 20% of the discount with its own funds, while the State contributes the other 20%.
Starting July 1st, the new public transport fares in Cartagena are as follows: the bus pass will be priced at €0.45, the special senior card and the special large family card will cost €0.15, the senior card and the unemployed card will be €0.33, and the monthly Unibono will be set at €12.00. Additionally, children under 14 years old can travel for free.
The Councilor for Infrastructure, Diego Ortega, emphasized that this reduction «represents a significant budgetary effort by the City Council, which continues to advocate for fairer and more sustainable mobility for all.»
In this regard, Ortega noted that the City Council continues to advance the necessary funds to maintain the discounts and not harm users, as «while the central government does not pay what it owes, Cartagena continues to pull the cart so that citizens do not pay twice for an essential public service,» the councilor stated, referring to the outstanding amounts from the State in previous programs.
He also added, «It is not fair for Cartagena residents to pay twice for a service that the State should be funding. We continue to support public transport, but we demand that the central government fulfill its part.»
Transportation Improvements
The fare reduction is accompanied by a continuous improvement in public transport services, with actions that have significantly transformed the network in the last two years. The City Council has renewed 60% of the urban bus fleet, introducing more sustainable, hybrid, and accessible vehicles, with free Wi-Fi, automatic ramps, optimized air conditioning, and accessible signage.
Additionally, the frequency of the most demanded lines, especially during peak hours, has been reinforced, benefiting areas like La Manga and Cabo de Palos with specific discounts and improved connections to the city center.
Furthermore, 14 stops have been modernized with new shelters equipped with real-time digital information screens, USB chargers, Wi-Fi connectivity, NaviLens codes, and mini recycling ecopoints.
Thanks to these improvements, urban bus usage has increased by 16% in the last two years, exceeding 7 million trips in 2024.
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