RE: Dividend2 Sep 2022 15:11
Spain offering free train journeys in an effort to combat inflation and rising cost of living
Spain is offering free train journeys until the end of the year in an effort to combat inflation and rising living costs.
Under the initiative, residents and tourists will be able to take journeys less than 186 miles (300km) on local trains and medium-range routes between cities free of charge, The New York Times reported.
Passengers need to register for a travel card, which requires a deposit, to be eligible.
There were early signs that the initiative, that started yesterday, was popular with riders.
Raquel Sanchez, Spain's minister for transportation, mobility and the urban agenda, said nearly 100,000 people had used the free admission in Madrid on Thursday morning, 50% more than "on a day like today" in 2019.
Fares vary across the country, but a single ticket in Madrid costs between 1.70 and 8.70 euros, depending on the distance.
Spain, like many other countries, is battling high inflation: Its inflation rate rose to 10.8% in July, a 38-year-high.