Government studies a new train link

The Balearic government is planning to connect Felanitx to Palma and Manacor by train, and it has ordered the public works ministry to look into the viability of such a project. The government plans to include it in its master plan for transport which is now being drawn up. Many years ago, there was a railway service from Santa Maria to Felanitx, with stops at Santa Eugenia, Algaida, Montuiri and Porreres. Renewing this option is expected to have massive popular support from people living in those areas. But Joaquin Rodriguez, the director general of transport, said that one of the obstacles to this option is that when the old line was closed, the land was sold off and in some cases buildings have been constructed. He added that a good part of the railway line would be new and a considerable amount of land would have to be expropriated. Experts also feel that it would be much more profitable and technically viable to run the train directly from Palma instead of linking it with Santa Maria. This would introduce a second option, laying new rails to Llucmajor and Arenal, or using a stretch of the old line, with connections with some of the towns on the way. The ministry has to find out which is the best solution. At all events, a stretch of new line would have to be built to cover the 14 kilometres separating Felanitx from Manacor. The government considers taking the train to Felanitx a strategic point to create a new rail network which would have a triangular axis between Manacor, Inca and Palma. But the plans could become nothing more than good intentions if the money to carry them out is not available, and up to now, the central government has not shown much interest in the problems of public transport in the islands. In the meantime, priority is being given to the stretch between Sa Pobla and the port of Alcudia.