After carefully analyzing the technical document for the demarcation connecting the region with Busturialdea, local spokespersons agree that the provincial proposal does not adequately address the real daily mobility needs of citizens, especially in an area lacking a railway connection.
The mayor of Markina-Xemein, Iratxe Lasa, recalled the geographical and demographic reality of Lea-Artibai, "a region with over 25,000 inhabitants, high dispersion, a strong rural component, and an aging index higher than the historical territory average. Without train access, the bus becomes the sole strategic public transport system and an indispensable tool for social and economic cohesion". Currently, the scarce public transport offering forces residents to rely heavily on private vehicles.
Lasa further noted that the current service has many shortcomings, including "travel times exceeding an hour to get to Bilbao or to reference hospitals", a situation worsened by the deficient internal connection between the region's towns.
Therefore, aiming to provide citizens with sustainable mobility, the local representatives of EH Bildu have structured their demands around several priority action areas.
One of the primary demands calls for a substantial increase in the frequency of direct bus services to Bilbao from both Lekeitio and Ondarroa terminals, arguing that excessively long journey times deter potential users. They insist this direct service should also operate on Saturdays and holidays. They also deem essential the creation of a direct line connecting the region to the UPV/EHU university campus in Leioa, preventing students from having to make up to four daily transfers.
Access to Usansolo Hospital is another key point in the allegations document, with a direct route being requested. Municipal representatives emphasize that medical care is a basic necessity and "it is unacceptable for patients to face long, uncomfortable, and fragmented journeys with multiple intermediate stops".
Regarding leisure and work-life balance, the allegations highlight the urgency of establishing a broader night bus network, as the complete absence of transport at those hours inevitably pushes towards car use, compromising road safety and sustainability. Linked to this, they demand that the Diputación directly assume the management and cost of special night services during local festivals (Gababus), which are currently funded by the Town Councils.
Regarding the improvement of internal connectivity between the region's municipalities, specific technical proposals are made to make existing routes more flexible. This includes implementing a direct line between Aulesti and Markina-Xemein, or extending the A3922 line to Aulesti. Additionally, they propose extending the A3523 line from Lekeitio to Ondarroa.
Finally, institutional representatives demand that the entire fleet of buses assigned to the service be fully adapted and accessible for people with reduced mobility, ensuring autonomous and safe use of public transport for all users.
With all these points, Lea-Artibai urges the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia to seriously analyze these proposals, warning that they are not mere punctual improvements but "a firm defense of the future, equal opportunities, and the dignity of a region that cannot continue to be treated as a second-class territory".
