Official nod for travel card

STAFF REPORTER NO less than 31.2 million euros is being set aside by the Balearics' Ministry for Transport and Territory to set up an all-purpose travel ticket system on Majorca, the equivalent to an “Oyster” card combination operating on London´s public transport, The service, which will be developed throughout 2008 by Majorcan Transport Authorities, ultimately aims to bring down the cost of travelling by public transport. Minister Gabriel Vicenç said yesterday during his department's budget presentation for the coming year that he will have funds totalling 98.5 million euros to invest in the administration of transport infrastructure, a significant 73 percent on that made available by central government in 2007. Vicenç said the increased sum is a reflection of both central and regional administrations' commitment to improving public mobility, particularly in terms of developing the Island's railway service. He highlighted the fact that the Balearic government is to provide a boost of 9.4 million euros to the Majorcan Transport Authorities “so that prices can be lowered, and so that operators can be compensated for any losses they suffer as a result of the “travel card” system. A keystone project for the Mobility ministry is the extension and upgrading of the Majorcan railway service on which it will spend 64.7 percent more than the previous Balearic administration. Some 24 million euros will be spent on beginning the line between Sa Pobla and Alcudia and on one between Manacor and Arta.