Girona and Salt get a new bus corridor
The BRCAT project has taken a major step forward, with works now underway on the Girona-Salt bus corridor. Aimed at easing congestion and boosting public transport, this €5.5 million investment is part of Catalonia’s broader push to improve sustainable mobility across the region.
For residents of Girona and Salt, two closely linked cities with a combined population of over 137,000, the upgrades promise faster, greener, and more convenient travel options.
What is changing?
The Girona-Salt corridor is already a busy route, serving 2.6 million passengers annually across urban and interurban lines. Now, it is getting a comprehensive overhaul:
- Bus-only lanes: Half of Passeig dels Països Catalans will be reserved for buses, speeding up journeys for commuters.
- Cycling boost: A new bike lane will connect to existing paths, creating a safer, more direct route for cyclists.
- Pedestrian-friendly features: Wider pavements, additional crossings, and more public spaces will improve walkability in the area.
Traffic-lighted roundabouts and priority signalling for buses will also ensure smoother traffic flow, while the Joan Brossa Square is being redesigned as a key terminal for bus routes, improving links to Girona’s train and bus stations.
Cleaner, more frequent buses
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a fully electric bus fleet. Some vehicles are already in service, with frequency on key routes already improving:
- The L9 line’s intervals have halved from 60 to 30 minutes.
- The L4 line now runs every 12 minutes, down from 15.
Once the fleet is complete, buses will run every 8 minutes on the L3 and every 15 minutes on the L9. These changes are expected to attract up to half a million new passengers each year.
A step towards smarter mobility
The upgrades to the Girona-Salt corridor reflect growing demand for public transport in the area, with passenger numbers already exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 25%. The improvements align with Catalonia’s broader ambitions for sustainable urban mobility, which includes enhanced cycling infrastructure and the adoption of cleaner, quieter electric buses.
While BRCAT as a concept is not new, seeing the project take shape in Girona and Salt shows how these ambitious plans are finally delivering tangible changes on the ground. For residents, it means a better, faster, and greener way to get around and a strong step towards a more sustainable future.
