Spain\u2019s socialist-led government is to launch a national public transport pass that will allow people to travel anywhere in the country on buses and trains for a flat monthly fee of \u20ac60 (\u00a352.70).<\/p>\n
The prime minister, Pedro S\u00e1nchez<\/a>, unveiled the initiative on Monday, saying it would come into effect in the second half of January and was intended \u201cto change the way Spaniards understand and use public transport for ever\u201d.<\/p>\n News of the pass \u2013 which has yet to be publicly costed \u2013 came as S\u00e1nchez\u2019s coalition minority government struggles to survive a series of corruption<\/a> and sexual harassment allegations<\/a> that have engulfed his inner circle, his Spanish Socialist Workers\u2019 party (PSOE) and his administration.<\/p>\n Despite calls from his opponents to hold a snap general election, S\u00e1nchez has vowed to keep governing, insisting that Spain is on the right path and that his government has \u201cthe energy and the determination\u201d to reach the end of the current legislature in 2027.<\/p>\n The prime minister hailed the transport pass as proof of his administration\u2019s commitment to improving the everyday lives of Spaniards. He said the pass, which will cost \u20ac30 a month for those under 26, would allow people to \u201ctravel anywhere in the country\u201d on middle-distance and suburban trains, and on national bus services.<\/p>\n According to S\u00e1nchez, the scheme could help some workers cut their monthly travel costs by as much as 60%.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking about 2 million people who will be paying less each month to get to work, to get home or to do their day-to-day stuff,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s what governing is about: making the important things easier for ordinary people.\u201d<\/p>\n