Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Basque Bus Crunch Spurs Astigarraga Protest as Aiaraldea Secures Direct Hospital Line

The parallel campaigns contrast unresolved crowding in Astigarraga with an approved Aiaraldea–Galdakao route starting early 2026.

Overview

  • Astigarraga residents called a rally for 11:00 on November 8 outside the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council to protest overcrowded Lurraldebus routes and frequent inability to board.
  • Locals report buses arriving already full from Hernani and, citing a roughly 60% population increase since 2012, request reinforcements that start in Astigarraga.
  • The town council seeks a direct link to hospital and university areas in 2026, either by extending Dbus line 35 or creating a new Lurraldebus service without reducing existing lines.
  • Álava and Bizkaia have signed a convenio to launch a direct Bizkaibus A-3641 service from early 2026 with three weekday round trips connecting Orduña, Llodio, Amurrio and Ayala to Galdakao Hospital.
  • Under the deal, Bizkaia will operate the service and Álava will cover 88% of funding, with expected travel times cut by about 30 minutes compared with current buses.