The Department of Sustainable Mobility will have a budget of 695 million euros in 2027, according to the project presented by counselor Susana García Chueca this Wednesday in Parliament. This budget represents a 19.5% increase compared to the previous year and will enable the consolidation of projects underway or under construction in Euskadi's three historical territories, as well as the promotion of sustainable mobility through modern, affordable, and efficient public transport.
The accounts detailed by the counselor focus on the expansion, improvement, and conservation of the rail and tram network, in addition to the development of initiatives that promote sustainable mobility and the use of public transport among citizens.
The Directorate of Strategy for Sustainable Mobility, which coordinates services such as Euskotren and the commuter rail service operated by Renfe, will have 280.7 million euros in 2027. Key objectives include promoting the train and tram as sustainable and structuring means for society and territory, acquiring new and improved trains and trams, digitalizing maintenance and safety with the implementation of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), supporting affordable transport for all through co-financing of subsidies, and advancing towards 100% accessibility.
The Directorate of Transport Infrastructure will receive 408.9 million euros to continue executing ongoing infrastructures, planning new ones, and maintaining existing ones through the public entity Euskal Trenbide Sarea. Highlights include the construction of the future Bilbao metro lines 4 and 5, the extension of the Vitoria-Gasteiz tram to Zabalgana, and improvements to rail infrastructure in San Sebastián and Bilbao.
In addition to the investments in infrastructure by Euskal Trenbide Sarea, the management assignments from the central government for the high-speed network and the Southern Railway Variant will be added. In 2027, the Southern Railway Variant will receive a significant boost, and the accesses to Bilbao and the Arkaute Node will also have allocated budgets.
