The Municipalised Service of Mobility and Transport of Burgos will request a six-month extension from the EMT of Madrid for the 40 buses loaned after the garage fire on Poza Road in April.
The Municipalised Service of Mobility and Transport (Smyt) of Burgos will ask the Municipal Transport Company of Madrid (EMT) for a six-month extension for the 40 buses that the Madrid City Council loaned free of charge after the garage fire on Poza Road that occurred last April. The area councillor, César Barriada, has confirmed that, although only half of the initial period has passed, the intention is to extend the period to continue having these vehicles.
The Madrid buses, key to restoring service
The original loan, signed by the mayor of Burgos, Cristina Ayala, and the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, established a renewable six-month period. Now, Smyt wants to activate that clause to buy time while the future of the fleet is decided. According to Barriada, the buses, although they have many kilometres on them, are providing service satisfactorily.
The issue of having older vehicles is offset by a fleet that is larger than usual, allowing for reserves and ensuring service provision. For the residents of Burgos, this means that no cuts in urban transport are expected in the short term.
The future of the fleet: purchase, leasing or new acquisition?
The coming months will be crucial to decide what to do with these buses. The City Council of Burgos must analyse whether to keep some in ownership, how to manage the current leasing contracts, and whether to incur debt to acquire new vehicles. Furthermore, European legislation sets a deadline for combustion vehicles, necessitating the planning of a more sustainable fleet.
Barriada has indicated that the priority so far has been to restore service, resume ticket sales, and manage emergency contracts to remove the asbestos, demolish the damaged garages, and prepare an adjacent plot for bus parking. The supply of gas has also been secured with a new station.
What changes for bus users in Burgos
For now, users will not notice any changes. The extension ensures that the 40 buses from Madrid remain on the streets of Burgos for at least six more months, maintaining current frequencies and routes. The City Council expects to have a definitive plan for the fleet before this period ends.
The final decision on the purchase or renewal of buses will be made in the coming months, and residents can rest assured: the service is guaranteed. In the meantime, Smyt drivers and mechanics continue to work to keep the fleet in the best possible condition.
You may also like
