Politics
Sarria City Council Approves Extended Evening Bus Routes for Three Local Lines
The measure adds service on routes serving Sarria's northern and eastern districts, with changes set to begin in September.
How we reported this
The Sarria City Council voted 9-4 on 7 July to extend evening bus operations on lines 12, 14 and 17 through the end of 2026. The decision directly affects residents who rely on those routes for travel after 8 pm between the city centre and the districts of Montealto, San Xulian and Outeiro.
The vote followed a review of passenger data compiled by the municipal transport department for the first half of 2026. Council records show average ridership on the three lines rose 14 percent between 7 pm and midnight compared with the same period in 2025. The increase was cited during the meeting as the reason for considering additional service hours.
Daily travel changes for residents
Under the approved schedule, the last departures from the central bus station will move from 8:15 pm to 10:45 pm on weekdays. Local advocates note that shift workers at the industrial park near Outeiro and students attending evening classes at the municipal adult education centre will gain direct options without transfers. Families in Montealto will also see the 14 line continue to the hospital campus until 11 pm.
Policy analysts say the change will reduce reliance on private vehicles for short evening trips inside the municipal boundary. The council's transport committee minutes record that the measure is projected to add 48 weekly round trips across the three routes, funded from the existing 2026 operating budget line for public transport.
Budget figure and next steps
The council's adopted budget document for fiscal year 2026 lists 1.8 million euros for bus operations. The extension is expected to draw 185,000 euros from that allocation, according to figures presented by the finance department during the meeting. Implementation will require new driver rosters and updated timetables posted at stops by mid-August.
Transport department staff stated that performance data will be collected through December and presented to the council in January 2027. Any further adjustments will depend on those ridership counts and public comments submitted through the municipal website.