Valencia and the Generalitat Valenciana will provide key public transport services free of charge on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. According to official announcements, the city buses run by the Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT) in Valencia will be free to use all day. The regional government is also including Metrovalencia, the regional Metrobús as well as the TRAM d'Alacant and TRAM de Castelló networks in the initiative.
The free travel day is being held to mark international Día sin Coche and marks the end of the Semana Europea de la Movilidad 2026. The aim is to temporarily reduce private car use, showcase alternatives and draw attention to air quality and quality of life in cities. The initiative applies throughout the operating day; no regular ticket checks will take place on the lines listed during that time.
Responsibilities are clearly divided: the city bus network is run by the Ayuntamiento de València while regional rail and bus services fall under the Generalitat Valenciana. Through coordinated implementation, free travel on 22 September will apply both in the city of Valencia and in neighbouring areas served by Metrovalencia, Metrobús, TRAM d'Alacant and TRAM de Castelló.
Experience from previous years in Spain shows that days like these can significantly increase public transport use. Environmental and transport associations say the measure sends a signal in support of the shift to sustainable transport. At the same time, user groups and opposition parties point to structural issues that a single free travel day cannot resolve: in outlying areas, public transport remains less attractive without frequent services and reliable connections. The city and region explicitly describe the measure as a one-off contribution to the Semana Europea de la Movilidad, not a permanent change to fares.
The authorities advise travellers to allow extra time for journeys and pay attention to announcements, as some services may be busier than usual at peak times. Normal operations will resume the following day. By taking part in European Car-Free Day, Valencia joins a broad network of cities experimenting on 22 September with temporarily free public transport or restrictions on car traffic.
The information is based on official announcements from the Ayuntamiento de València and the Generalitat Valenciana. It is consistent with information from the regional transport operators about the scope and terms of free travel on 22 September 2026.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).