A resilient public transport system

Summit attendees visiting Barcelona will be able to check out the resilience of the city’s public transport system and the entire metropolitan area, of which the three Local Partners, FGC, TMB and RENFE are the main operators. The system has already recovered more than 90% of its pre-pandemic ridership. 2019 was a record year, the Metropolitan Transport Authority counted 1,056 million trips with public transport, more than ever before.

The key to the success of Barcelona‘s public transport system has been the constant improvement of infrastructure and services since the integrated fare system was implemented in 2001. The integrated fare system serves a population of more than 5.5 million habitants and allows travel with all public transport operators with a single ticket. Since then, the system has been perfected and has grown, with the aim of eventually integrating all of Catalonia’s public transport into a single system.

Another strength of Barcelona’s public transport system is its accessibility. All buses and tramways, all trains and FGC’s stations and all trains and 94% of TMB’s stations are fully accessible. Beside the step-free design, voice-guided ticket vending, tactile pavement, and Braille guides, contribute to Barcelona’s status as a global champion in public transport accessibility.

Without a doubt, public transport will be the best way to move around Barcelona during the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2023 and enjoy the “Bright light of the City”.