Free bus travel for Ibiza’s youth

The Consell of Ibiza has launched a pioneering plan which provides free bus travel for residents up to 18 years of age. Until now only children up to four years old could use public transport without cost, but this has been greatly expanded. The Consell will issue around 7,000 youth travel authorizations called ‘T-Jove’ cards, which will allow the use of public transport for any itinerary with no limitations. To obtain this card it is not necessary to go to the Consell office - representatives of the Department of Mobility will go to the schools of the island to formalize the processing of the T-Jove. The only document that will be required is a signed authorization from the parents.
This measure came into force at the beginning of January, and the Consell has budgeted €500,000 a year to cover its costs. The left wing political parties that control the Consell have created this system to encourage the use of public transport on the island. They say that this is the only place in Spain to adopt a measure like this, and they hope that the idea will spread to other regions of the country.