The Community of Madrid activates car sharing for 56,000 residents of Sierra Oeste

The service, featuring 35 vehicles and an investment of 100,000 euros, starts in Cadalso de los Vidrios and Cenicientos and will extend to 17 towns affected by the wildfires.

The Community of Madrid has launched a temporary car sharing service to facilitate travel for approximately 56,000 residents of the municipalities in Sierra Oeste affected by last summer's wildfires. The initiative was presented this Wednesday in Cenicientos by the Minister of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García Martín, and has a regional investment of 100,000 euros.

The rollout will be gradual to adapt to the demand of each locality. It begins in Cadalso de los Vidrios and Cenicientos, and in the coming days will extend to Aldea del Fresno, Navalagamella, Navas del Rey, Robledo de Chavela, and Zarzalejo, until covering the 17 planned localities.

The scheme, managed in collaboration with the company Voltio, will have a fleet of up to 35 vehicles and will be operational for an initial period of three months, coinciding with the return and reconstruction phase. The service can be adjusted based on the evolution of the emergency.

This measure addresses, among other needs, those of residents who have lost their vehicle due to the fire. It will facilitate travel to health centres, workplaces, pharmacies, shops, and other essential services, as well as allow for the management of agricultural and livestock operations, and provide care for the elderly and dependent individuals.

Users will need to make reservations through the Voltio mobile app and can choose between two options: four hours for 4 euros or eight hours for 8 euros, which represents a 90% discount compared to the usual rates. At the end of the contracted period, the car must be returned to the same pick-up point to ensure its availability in each municipality.

This action is part of the regional government's plan to support the recovery of the 17 municipalities affected by the Sierra Oeste wildfires. During the day, García Martín also visited the Parque de las Aguas in Rozas de Puerto Real, where he learned about the progress of the reconstruction work and the extent of the damage caused by the fires originating in both the Community of Madrid and the province of Ávila.