The new mechanism entails an added cost of 38 euros per coach per day, comprising 35 euros for the concession permit and three more for the mandatory reservation. This measure, proposed in the 2025 fiscal ordinances, takes effect this Monday and is added to the 20 euros companies already paid in 2024.

According to the council, the main goal of Zona Bus 4.0 is to distribute vehicles more efficiently to reduce congestion in stopping areas. The system sets an hourly parking limit on the busiest roads and introduces mandatory online reservation for all operators.

Reservation is essential for parking or brief stops in eight high-demand locations. These include the areas surrounding the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Pedrera, the Hospital de Sant Pau, the Drassanes, the Ciutat Vella district, the Port Olímpic, and the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc.

In total, the city of Barcelona has 210 spaces requiring this prior reservation, 159 of which are designated for long-term parking and 51 for short stops. Before its implementation, over a thousand permits had already been issued through the new system.