BAY OF PALMA TRAM COULD BE JUST FOUR YEARS AWAY

VISITORS arriving in Majorca in 2007 could be whisked away to their hotels in Arenal or Santa Ponsa by tram at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour should the Bay of Palma tram project unveiled yesterday go ahead and reach completion on time. Balearic Transport Minister Francesc Quetglas yesterday made public the results of the viability study carried out into the ambitious and costly project saying that while there has been much talk about the tram “but we've taken the first step towards transforming the idea into a reality” within the next four years, by the end of the next legislature. The study focused on three key areas, the laying of the track, passenger demand and cost, which has been put in the region of 450'75 million euros.
Francesc Quetglas declared that the tram would carry between eight and 10 million passengers per year.
The proposed main line will follow a coastal route from Arenal to Santa Ponsa with links along the Avenidas into the centre of Palma, to the airport, to El Molinar and to Can Pastilla with various stops along through branch routes. The Minister said that with 80 per cent of airport arrivals not heading for the capital, the links are vitally important, just as is connecting two of the Mediterranean's busiest tourist resorts with each other and the island's public transport central terminal in Plaza de España. Project engineer, Carles Fábregues, explained that from the Plaza de España terminal, the tram would run in both directions round the Avenidas, following the existing bus lanes. 11 stops are planned with trams running every 3.5 to 5 minutes at an average speed of 17 kilometres per hour; the Avenidas round trip will take just 17 minutes. Trams to Arenal, via Son Veri, el Molinar, Coll d'en Rebassa and Can Pastilla will run every 5 or 7.5 minutes at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour in commercial areas, 50 kph in urban areas and as fast at 80 kph once out of the city. The city centre to Arenal trip should take 34 minutes.
The airport link, which will divert off the Arenal route, will run every 15 minutes and take 24 minutes.
In the opposite direction, trams to Santa Ponsa, via Cala Major, Illetas, Portals Nous, Palmanova, Magalluf and Son Ferrer will leave every 12 minutes and take 55 minutes to reach the final destination. Apart from the large amount of money involved, 34 trams will be needed and 150 staff, including 90 tram drivers.
Quetglas said that the costs of the project could be covered in a variety of ways, but stressed central government collaboration is vital, as well as that of the local councils affected. He also said that the services may also be put up for private tender.
The project is the ultimate plan for the public-transport-obsessed local government and Balearic President Francesc Antich said yesterday that the project further demonstrates his government's determination to protect the environment while improving public transport services.