The Durango City Council has presented alegations to the initial approval of the Bizkaibus preliminary projects, aiming to contribute to a more efficient, accessible, and citizen-needs-adapted public transport. This initiative addresses the need to strengthen collective mobility in the Durangaldea region, promoting sustainability, social cohesion, and accessibility.
Key proposals include recognizing Durango as a strategic intermodal and regional hub, moving beyond its current status as a mere stop. Additionally, the council requests enhanced connections with Bilbao, by increasing frequencies during peak hours and weekends, thereby making public transport a viable and competitive alternative to private vehicles.
The City Council also proposes implementing a weekend night service until 00:30 to facilitate safe travel for social, cultural, work, and leisure activities. Direct or semi-direct connections are also requested with the Galdakao Hospital, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Gipuzkoa, Donostia, and Bilbao Airport. Concurrently, the aim is to foster greater regional mobility independent of Bilbao, proposing a network to serve daily commutes between Durangaldea municipalities and connect industrial parks.
Another priority is consolidating the Landako/Madalena station as the primary transport hub for Durango. This involves improving comfort, accessibility, real-time digital information, better connections with Euskotren and Bizkaibizi, lighting, and security, all with a gender perspective and considering the mobility of all individuals. The demand also includes a more humane and accessible transport system, emphasizing safety, clear information, universal accessibility, and attention to care-related mobility.
Finally, the City Council seeks active participation in the future evolution of Bizkaibus through a permanent technical committee with the Provincial Council. Durango fully supports the need to strengthen public transport, but stresses that this reinforcement will only be meaningful if it results in a more frequent, better-coordinated, more accessible Bizkaibus, fully adapted to the reality of the municipality and the Durangaldea region.
“"Mobility is a right and a fundamental tool for ensuring equal opportunities. Durango has grown, it is a regional benchmark, and it concentrates daily commutes for work, studies, healthcare, and leisure. That is why we need more frequent, accessible public transport that is better connected to our surroundings. We demand a Bizkaibus that responds to the real needs of the citizens, facilitates daily travel, incorporates a weekend night service, and strengthens connections with Bilbao, the university, the airport, and all of Durangaldea. Betting on quality public transport is betting on a more cohesive region with better opportunities for everyone."
