The Generalitat de Catalunya must "expressly accept before July 31, 2022" the application of the 50% discount on the payment of Rodalies transport tickets as it is a service of "autonomic competence", as stated in the Royal Decree Law of the shock plan against inflation approved yesterday by the council of ministers and published today in the BOE (Official State Gazette). This legal requirement comes after the strong criticism launched yesterday by the Minister of Territory, Jordi Puigneró, against the measure by ensuring that they were not consulted at any time.
In the Royal Decree -in which the Generalitat is referred to as the "Generalitat of Catalonia"- it is also detailed that two credits will be opened for a global value of 200 million euros to cover the costs of the measure in the autonomous communities. The regional governments and the town councils will be able to increase from 30% to 50% the aid in the subscriptions of the means of transport they own. The Generalitat de Catalunya, for example, already announced yesterday that they will supplement up to 50%.
Puigneró pointed out yesterday that the reduction in the price of monthly subscriptions "is a populist measure" that does not solve the real "problem of public transport: energy cost overruns: estimated at 165 million in 2022." And he added that "having a ticket at half price can help on time, but what really helps is having good service." Hence the umpteenth call from him to the transfer of the management of Rodalies to the Generalitat.
As for the check of 200 euros for vulnerable families, the application for the aid can be made until September 30 at the Tax Agency. The estimated amount in the BOE that these aids will have is 540 million euros.
In the text, continuity is given to other measures that are in force, such as, for example, the limitation of the increase in rents or the subsidy of 20 cents per liter in gasoline. A reduction of five points of VAT that is paid on the electricity bill is also contemplated.
