The Left’s call in the face of the transport crisis
Recently, the Republican Left of Igualada has once again expressed its concern about the quality of the Monbus bus service, following an incident where a vehicle dropped off passengers at a gas station in Collbató. The Republicans claim that this situation is a reflection of a chronic problem that the municipal government has not addressed effectively.
A history of broken promises
According to ERC members, they have presented a total of eight motions over thirteen years, with the last one presented in February 2024. Despite their approval by the majority, the Junts per Igualada government, led by Marc Castells, has not supported any of these initiatives, leaving the needs of users in oblivion.
The government’s lack of action
Republicans criticize that, despite repeated problems with Monbus, which include seven burned vehicles and numerous breakdowns, the local executive has not taken measures to guarantee a reliable service. They also point out that the government has constantly defended the company, dismissing any attempts at supervision or sanctions.
The concession: a problematic pact
Monbus’ current concession, which will be renewed in 2028, has been extended for 25 years, a decision that ERC considers irregular and detrimental to the interests of citizens. This has allowed the company to operate with little supervision, with the complicity of the city council, for more than a decade.
History of responsibilities
ERC also highlights that, in the last 47 years, Convergència i Unió has had majority control over the Ministry of Territory, a fact that the Republicans use to hold this party responsible for the poor functioning of the public transport service.
Worrying data about safety
An audit conducted in 2017 revealed that Monbus accounts for 35% of transport complaints in the region, despite only serving 5% of users. This highlights the shortcomings of the service, including the outrageous percentage of vehicles that fail technical inspections.
Testimonies from workers
Monbus workers have expressed concerns about working conditions and passenger safety, stressing that traveling with this company can be dangerous. This has led ERC to meet with them to better understand the situation, while criticizing the lack of dialogue between the municipal government and employees.
An uncertain future for transport in Igualada
With elections on the horizon and the Monbus concession about to be reviewed, the current situation of public transport in Igualada presents itself as an opportunity for change. Citizens expect the municipal government to listen to their demands and work towards a safer and more efficient transport system.