Urban bus ridership in Plasencia has seen a notable surge, with figures from 2024 reflecting the highest ticket sales and revenue recorded over the past four years. The city’s transport system sold 473,489 tickets during the year, surpassing last year's total of 466,715, according to David Dóniga, Plasencia's Urban Transport Councilor.
This increase by nearly 6,800 tickets signifies not just recovery post-pandemic but also improved public satisfaction with the service. With ticket sales rising, the revenue for bus operations also climbed to over 369,149 euros, more than 10,000 euros higher than 2023 and significantly above the earnings of previous years.
The improvements are attributed to various enhancements implemented within the urban transport service, including the introduction of new buses, enhanced service schedules, and new bus shelters equipped with smart features. Dóniga noted, "Ha aumentado el número de pasajeros, se ha mejorado el servicio de transporte público con la adquisición de nuevas unidades, se da una mejor actuación en la ciudad,” emphasizing the positive changes as contributors to increased ridership.
Analyzing the revenue streams, simple tickets remain the primary source of income, making up 69% of total fare collections, up from 68% the previous year. Other ticketing options, including the 31 SIN pass and the Bono 20, are also popular but represent smaller proportions of total sales. The total revenue generated from simple ticket sales jumped from 244,373.95 euros to 254,166.15 euros, illustrating strong growth.
Data from the later months of the year shows even more optimism with 175,512 passengers recorded between September and December—a remarkable 12.30% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. This increase is reflected not only in ticket purchases but also across various travel passes, with 88,027 trips made using passes and 87,485 using regular tickets during these months.
Dóniga highlighted how the awareness and use of transport boosts urban mobility and sustainability, providing clues on how the commuter population is responding to these improvements. "El autobús va poco a poco mejorando y suponen una recuperación significativa en su uso," he said, emphasizing the gradual but evident progress.
The introduction of automated smart ticketing systems and mobile applications for real-time bus tracking have also contributed to the noticeable uptick, offering convenience and immediate information to passengers. Feedback from the community indicates higher satisfaction levels, which correlate with the changes made by the local government.
Among the most popular pass options, the Bonos 20 were the most used, accounting for 28.46% of the total, followed closely by the Bono 31 SIN at 25.65%. The Bono Joven and Bono Social also retained their popularity, demonstrating varying community needs.
The growth seen within the Plasencia transport system could be viewed as both reflective of effective management and the community's shift toward more sustainable transport methods. Looking forward, the city plans additional improvements, including the enhancement of bus shelters and the potential acquisition of more buses to accommodate increasing ridership.
Just last week, for example, the installation of new smart bus shelters along the Avenida San Marcelino Champagnat was completed, another direct response to user requests for more convenience and accessibility. Plasencia’s commitment to improving public transport continues, making it not just more efficient but more attractive to residents and visitors alike.
Overall, the data from the 2024 bus service suggests promising trends for future transport planning, indicating both increased usage and financial viability for Plasencia’s urban transport over the next several years. Legislative preparations underway may also affect fiscal approaches to the cooperative managing the services, ensuring its sustainability and continued improvement.