Combined train and tram proposed for Alcudia-Sa Pobla

BALEARIC minister for public works, transport and housing, Francesc Quetglas, yesterday presented an alternative route for the railway link between Sa Pobla and Alcudia, which also contemplates the possibility of a tram service. According to a report drawn up by the SFM, the Majorcan railway company, there has been a considerable increase in travel between Palma and Alcudia.
Seventy five per cent of the trips are by private car, and Alcudia is the town with the highest percentage of vehicles, with 892 cars per 1'000 inhabitants. According to the SFM, public transport is “insufficient” to cover the trend and to guarantee a year-long service which will satisfy the needs of both residents and tourists visiting the bay of Alcudia area. The railway company also stressed the need to find a route which will minimise the impact on protected areas such as L'Albufera, Puig de Son Fe, farmland and the ruins of the Roman city of Pollentia. The proposed solutions are: the train, the tram, or a mixed service which will cater for a predicted demand of 286'354 passengers by the year 2010.
The mixed service, over a distance of 18 kilometres, would preserve the environment and offer a sustainable solution, the report presented by Antich said. It would also be more viable from the socio-economic point of view. The presentation of the report, which was compiled by Carlos Garcia, was also attended by Joaquin Rodriguez, the director general of public works and transport, and Antonio Santos, the manager of the railway company. Later in the day, Francesc Quetglas launched the latest bus-train connection between the railway station at Sa Pobla and the port of Pollensa.
This doubles public transport between the two towns.
The annual cost of the service is 105'000 euros, although the government hopes that a large part of this money will be recovered through fares.
The government has approved a subsidy of 553'249 euros for five years for Autocares Villalonga SL to operate the service between the Sa Pobla station, Pollensa and its Port to tie in with the arrival and departure of the train. The ministry's transport plan will set up 11 bus-train services linking 42 towns and villages to the nearest railway station.
Those in operation already are Alaró and Consell; Sencelles, Biniali, Ses Alqueries, Santa Eugenia and Santa Maria; Costitx, Sencelles and Inca; Es Garrovers, Nova Cabana with the Pont d'Inca Nou station; Pla de na Tesa, Cas Capita and Pont d'Inca Nou; Portol, Sa Cabaneta and Marratxi station, and Muro, Santa Margalida and Can Picafort with the Muro station. The service is a basic part of plans to redesign the public transport network.