Mayor Manuel Bautista requests the Ministry of Transport to remove the Bus VAO lane on the A-5, arguing that it has worsened traffic. The measure affects thousands of residents in southwest Madrid.
Mobility in Móstoles has become a hot topic following Mayor Manuel Bautista's request to the Ministry of Transport to eliminate the Bus VAO lane established on the A-5. According to the mayor, this infrastructure has had a significant negative impact on the circulation of private vehicles, affecting thousands of residents who travel daily on this route. In a letter addressed to Minister Óscar Puente, Bautista states that after several months of operation of the reserved lane, it has proven to be "clearly detrimental" to the residents. The situation is such that traffic jams have become common due to the concentration of private traffic in a single lane, causing considerable delays and frustration among drivers. The mayor points out that the final design of the lane was maintained despite prior warnings from the City Council regarding its location and operation. Furthermore, he highlights that for much of the day, the lane remains "practically empty," as few buses use it. This inefficiency not only increases travel times for motorists but also raises questions about the real benefits for public transport. In his letter, Bautista requests a more efficient alternative that allows for better traffic management while the necessary works on the A-5 are carried out. The response from the Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, was swift. He defended the continuation of measures such as the Bus VAO as part of a policy towards more sustainable mobility and accused the Popular Party of prioritising the use of private vehicles over ecological alternatives. Martín also mentioned the reactivation of the railway project between Móstoles and Navalcarnero as a step towards better sustainable mobility in the region. On the other hand, Jorge Rodrigo, the Minister of Housing and Transport of the Community of Madrid, expressed his support for Bautista, considering it essential to address the concerns expressed by citizens regarding the operation of the Bus VAO lane. Rodrigo emphasised: "If the residents of Móstoles have communicated to the mayor that there is a problem with that Bus VAO to Madrid, it is logical to act according to their needs." This situation raises a crucial debate on how to balance the needs of public transport with the daily demands of private mobility in such a busy area as Móstoles.
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