The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has taken a significant step in renewing state concessions by tendering the Madrid–Zaragoza–Catalonia corridor. This project follows the Bilbao–Castro Urdiales corridor and is part of the new road transport concession map, promising improvements in fares and services.
Features of the Madrid–Zaragoza–Catalonia Corridor
The tendered corridor encompasses a regular public transport service connecting passengers by road between Madrid, Zaragoza, and Catalonia. It consists of 13 routes totaling 6,030 kilometers, with 95 stops in 47 municipalities across eight provinces. Notably, 26 municipalities are in Zaragoza, followed by Barcelona with 7 municipalities. This new arrangement promises a 22.7% reduction in existing fares, thereby improving accessibility for users.
Processing and Timeline of the Tender
The project was approved by the Council of Ministers on April 21, following a public information process from November 25, 2025 to January 13, 2026. The tender was announced on the Public Sector Contracting Platform, with a deadline for bid submissions set for August 14, 2026. This process demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public participation.
Progress in the New Concession Map
The Madrid–Zaragoza–Catalonia corridor is the second to be tendered under the new concession map, following the Bilbao–Castro Urdiales corridor. Additionally, the public information process has been opened for the preliminary projects of the remaining 31 corridors, with the opportunity to submit objections until July 28. The Council of Ministers also approved the Madrid–Valencia corridor, bringing the total to 34 corridors planned in the new map.
This ambitious plan not only retains the current stops and routes but also aims to optimize services, enhance intermodality, and increase the use of zero and low-emission vehicles. With the implementation of intelligent transport systems, the new concession map is advancing toward more sustainable and efficient mobility.
