News
11/03/2025

Catalonia's Exprés.cat buses hit record high with nearly 32 million trips

POLIS member Catalonia's express ridership keeps going strong, hitting a record high of nearly 32 million trips in 2024 —a 19% increase from 2023 and an astonishing 39% surge compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

That's right: Catalonia's rapid bus network Exprés.cat has reached a new milestone, recording 31.58 million trips in 2024, marking a 19% increase from 2023 and an impressive 38.8% surge compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This steady growth highlights the network’s role in meeting rising mobility demands across Catalonia.

The Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, Sílvia Paneque, attributes this success to the network’s efficiency and popularity among commuters, particularly for work and study purposes. She also credits the continuous efforts of the Department to enhance and expand high-demand routes.

A decade of growth

Catalonia launched its interurban express bus network Exprés.cat in 2012, gradually expanding it to 43 routes connecting commuter towns with provincial capitals. Before its introduction, equivalent non-express services saw 17.2 million annual passengers. By 2019, express ridership had peaked at 24.2 million, and by 2023, it had risen further to 27.4 million, setting the stage for this year’s record-breaking numbers.

All four Catalan regions set new records in 2024:

  • Barcelona: 23.5 million trips (+21.1%)
  • Girona: 2.44 million trips (+10.2%)
  • Lleida: 1.54 million trips (+12.2%)
  • Tarragona: 4.1 million trips (+18.1%)

Exprés.cat's high-performance network

Exprés.cat consists of 45 high-speed, limited-stop intercity bus lines designed to offer fast, modern, and accessible mobility. The network’s efficiency is reflected in its high occupancy rates, with an average of 30 passengers per trip.

With its strong upward trajectory and commitment to continuous improvement, Exprés.cat is proving to be a cornerstone of Catalonia’s sustainable and efficient mobility strategy.

Find out more about Catalonia in our most recent edition of Member in the Spotlight here.

 



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