Madrid limits public transport card to registered residents

The Community of Madrid announced that, starting on Monday, the personal Public Transport Card (TTP‑personal) will only be issued to individuals registered in the region’s municipal census, as well as certain municipalities in Castilla‑La Mancha and Castilla y León. The change, defended by regional officials as “common sense” because 94% of transport subsidies are funded by Madrid taxpayers, aims to ensure that only residents benefit from the discounts.

The new rule requires applicants for a new card or a duplicate to submit a current certificate of registration, although a telematic query of the census may be authorised where technically feasible. Authorities estimate the measure will affect about 3.4% of users, will not be retroactive for existing cardholders, and includes a temporary technical exemption for large‑family cards. Critics note the requirement could disadvantage students and foreign residents who cannot easily register locally.