New Palma to Manacor rail link by the spring

The first passengers on board the new Inca to Manacor railway are expected to board the first train in March next year. Yesterday, Balearic President Francesc Antich accompanied by the Minister for Public Work and Transport, Francesc Quetglas, visited the new railway project. Work started on the new rail link in January and now, six months down the line, contractors are confident that the line will be operational in either March or April next year at a final cost of 36 million euros. Francesc Quetglas said that the Inca to Manacor railway project is the “most important investment ever in the island's railway network.” The new line is actually making its way along the old track with the aim, according to Quetglas, “of putting Manacor just 55 kilometres away from Palma and 25 kilometres away from Inca by train.” In total, 30 kilometres of new track is being laid and Antich said yesterday that he was impressed by the progress of the project so far: “it's on target which means that we will be able to catch the train to Manacor by the spring.” Antich emphasised the effort the government is putting into improving public transport by boosting train times and frequencies, extending the rail network, building the new coach station in Palma and the re-opening of the Palma to Sa Pobla rail link at the start of the year. Antich said that public transport is “a fundamental cog in the Balearics' future infrastructure.” The government delegation also visited the new railway station at Sineu before carrying on with their tour down the line to the Petra-Manacor cross roads. Only last week, the government unveiled its new “TIB” Balearic public transport project which will eventually bring trains and buses all together under one operational roof. Four new diesel-motored carriages are also being brought into operation with a new rail link from the centre of Palma to the University also being studied.