The measure, aimed at ensuring discounts benefit regional taxpayers, will mandate users to prove their habitual residence through official registration. This condition, part of the Regional Transport Consortium Law since 2011, was not effectively enforced due to technical limitations but is now implementable, according to Consortium sources.
Simply living in municipalities like Alcorcón will no longer suffice. Individuals residing in the Community of Madrid but registered elsewhere, such as students from other regions or temporary workers, may lose access to reduced fares. They will need to use alternative transport options if they do not meet the new requirement.
The new regulation is not retroactive. However, personal transport cards that are lost, damaged, or require renewal must meet the new registration criteria to retain their discounts.
The Regional Transport Consortium justifies the decision by stating that 94% of Madrid's public transport funding comes from the community and its municipalities. They estimate the measure will impact approximately 3.4% of current users.
