The Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) has proposed a ban on yellow-label vehicles from circulating within its Low Emission Zone (ZBE) starting in 2028. This proposal is part of the new Metropolitan Urban Mobility Plan (2025-2030), which received initial approval on Tuesday.
This expansion of the prohibition aims to meet a directive from the Generalitat, which requires cities with over 50,000 inhabitants to restrict these types of vehicles by 2028. Heavier vehicles would face similar restrictions by 2030, according to the AMB. The initial approval of the plan will be published in the Official Gazette of the Government of Catalonia (DOGC), opening a 45-day public information period before its final approval.
Implementing this ban, however, does not solely depend on the AMB. Local councils, including Barcelona's city council, must approve its application. This measure has been unpopular in the past, having been postponed during the pandemic, and is now being reconsidered just a year before municipal elections.
Expanding Mobility Options
Beyond the ZBE, the plan also includes expanding the AMBici metropolitan public bicycle service. The network of cycle paths is set to extend into five municipalities in Vallès, the northern area of Baix Llobregat, and a small part of Maresme. The AMB is also working towards a future integration with the Bicing system, whose current contract ends in 2030. This would create a more coordinated metropolitan-wide system, although the AMB admits an agreement with Jaume Collboni's government has not yet been reached.
Public Transport Improvements
For public transport, the plan focuses on improving bus services. The AMB proposes changing the ownership of some bus lines that operate entirely within municipalities in the Barcelona area. These services would then be reinforced to make them more efficient and competitive. Measures include improving frequency, commercial speed, and reliability.
