You surely know someone who works themselves to the bone to get to work, getting up at the crack of dawn and spending more than an hour commuting. Or perhaps someone who lives in a town where the bus is so infrequent that, if you don't have a car, you're basically confined to your home. It's not just a matter of convenience; it's that Mobility is the key which opens the door to almost all of our fundamental rights. Without a decent way to get around, it's impossible to access a medical appointment, go to school, or simply go out for a drink with friends.
When the transport system fails, we not only lose time, but deep social divides are created. For many people in Spain and the rest of Europe, getting around has become a real headache or an unbearable financial burden. We cannot allow living in a rural area or not having a large budget to become a reason for isolation. Sustainable and dignified transportation must cease to be a luxury and become a guarantee for every citizen, regardless of their postal code.
The harsh reality: The poverty of transport
We often think that poverty in transportation is simply not having change for the subway ticket, but the problem goes much deeper. We're talking about a structural inability to achieve mobility necessary for a decent life. This happens when schedules are chaotic, frequencies are ridiculous, or stops are scary because they're dark. When public transport falls short, the car ceases to be a choice and becomes a necessity. imposed obligation.
The data is quite discouraging. In our country, there is a very high rate of what is called "forced vehicle ownership." There are millions of people who are forced to keep a car even if it means cutting back on food or heating, simply because There is no viable alternativeIn fact, Spain ranks among the lowest in Europe in this respect, surpassed only by Greece in this problem of lack of options.
Looking at the map, territorial inequality is striking. While in large cities the lack of supply affects a very small percentage of people, in rural areas... one in four inhabitants It does not have a Adequate public transportTo this we must add the gender perspective: many women avoid using the bus or train because of the fear of harassment and insecuritywhich further limits their autonomy and quality of life.
Transport as a pillar of the Welfare State
To understand this, we must go back to the ideas of Keynes and Beveridge, who proposed a state that would guarantee basic needs in order to correct market failures. The Welfare State was born to fight against poverty, disease, and ignorance; today, Lack of mobility is the new giant that we must dismantle. Public transport is not an expense that the Government should cut, but a social and climate investment of first order.
In countries like Mexico, the step of recognizing mobility as a constitutional human right has already been taken. This vision is fundamental because urban transport, although it doesn't manufacture tangible products, is the engine that allows... the workers arrive at their jobs and the students back to their classrooms. It is, in essence, a tool for social justice that guarantees equity and inclusion in the urban environment.
Unfortunately, the perceived quality of these services is often low. When people feel that the vehicles are dirty or that the service is inefficient, the system loses its appeal. For public transportation to truly be the cornerstone of well-being, it needs a stable and robust financingMoving away from improvisation and opting for a design that puts the person at the center, eliminating current inequality gaps.
Towards a sustainable and fair mobility model
Sustainable mobility isn't just about buying electric buses, but about rethinking how we live. The goal is to reduce the dominance of private vehicles, which currently occupy most of the public space. The priority must be... active mobilityThat is, walking or cycling, followed by public transport and, at the end of the queue, the private car.
- Promoting proximity: Not everything can be solved with more buses; services (health, education, commerce) also need to be brought to the neighborhoods to avoid unnecessary travel.
- Minimum standards: Establish mandatory frequencies and coverage so that no one is left isolated in rural Spain.
- Integrated subscriptions: Create affordable and unified fare systems that facilitate transfers between different modes of transport.
- Green taxation: Fund the public network by taxing those who pollute the most, such as private flights or fossil fuels.
In Spain, measures such as the Sustainable Mobility Bill and various grants to modernize fleets using European funds are being implemented. Examples like Barcelona's superblocks or Copenhagen's cycling infrastructure demonstrate that it is possible. reclaim cities for pedestriansreducing stress and improving the mental health of the population by avoiding endless traffic jams.
The role of the bus and institutional coordination
Within this ecosystem, the bus is a key component due to its extensive reach. It is the means of transport that reaches the most remote corners, connecting thousands of towns and cities. Therefore, it is vital that the bus be considered a essential public service...at the same level as healthcare or education. Without a clear funding law, the eco-friendly bus operators and administrations cannot plan for the future with any guarantees.
Furthermore, this effort must be coordinated with other social policies. A cheap bus fare is useless if the person lacks a minimum income or decent housing. The social services system, coordinated between the State and the Autonomous Communities, must work hand in hand with mobility initiatives to eradicate social exclusion and to ensure that the most vulnerable groups are not marginalized because they cannot travel.
Transforming public transport into a universal right implies a change in mindset: it should no longer be the "option for those without a car," but the preferred choice Because it is the most comfortable, safe, and efficient. When the system works so well that even those with resources prefer the train or bus, the quality of service improves for everyone, and the environmental benefit is massive.
