Madrid is preparing for one of the most massive events in recent years. The visit of Pope Leo XIV will bring together hundreds of thousands of people in different areas of the capital and will force the deployment of a extensive security, mobility and transportation device that will affect the day-to-day life of the city.
Given the forecast of massive attendance and the numerous planned traffic cuts, the City Council has confirmed a measure that will benefit thousands of Madrid residents and visitorsand the EMT buses and the public bicycle service Bicimad They will be free for several days to facilitate travel and reduce the use of private vehicles.
The decision comes at a time when Madrid expects to receive around two million people between the different scheduled eventsincluding the vigil planned in Plaza de Lima and the great mass to be celebrated in Plaza de Cibeles.
When will EMT and Bicimad be free in Madrid
As confirmed by the City Council, The free service will be valid between June 3 and 9. During those days, users They will be able to use EMT buses free of charge and access the Bicimad service for free within the usual conditions established for this mobility system.
The objective is clear and is reduce traffic with private cars as much as possible in a week that will be marked by traffic restrictions, detours and a large concentration of people in the city center. Therefore, The City Council has also asked companies and organizations to facilitate teleworking and flexible hours to minimize travel during peak hours.
In addition to free, the EMT will strengthen its operations during the central days of the papal visit with up to 184 additional buses, especially during the weekend when the main religious events will be celebrated.
Yes indeed, everything will work normally. Various bus lines will undergo modifications and deviations due to planned outages in areas such as Lima Squarethe surroundings of the S stadiumantiago Bernabéu, the Plaza de Cibeles, and the Castellana-Recoletos axis, which will be some of the most affected points.
The restrictions will begin progressively days before the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, and They will last until after your departure. For this reason, the authorities recommend planning trips in advance and betting, or trying, by public transport as the main alternative to move around the city during these days.