Regional transport minister Marc Pons has announced that the government intends creating bus services which directly connect Palma airport with the main tourism centres on the island.
Pons says that these services are expected to start in May. They will run throughout the main season, i.e. up to October. The government is currently negotiating with bus companies regarding five routes: Alcudia/Can Picafort; Cala d'Or/Porto Petro; Cala Millor; Magalluf; Santa Ponsa. The services will run every hour or ninety minutes, and it is anticipated that more than a million passengers will use them.
"We need to be making changes in order to keep ahead." Pons pointed out that the bus routes will improve services for tourists, who at present have to rely on transfer services, taxis and hire cars.
And taxi drivers have reacted by announcing that there will be protests. The Balearic Taxi Association says the bus services will harm taxi drivers and around 2,000 families, while benefiting foreign transport companies. One of these would probably be the UK's Arriva, which is a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. Autocares Mallorca is an Arriva company.
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I recently spent a very pleasant week in Cala Rajada, but would not return because of the problems we encountered with the coach transfer that was booked with Palma Coaches. They failed to provide transport from the airport to the hotel and refused to arrange a taxi. The receptionist at the desk gave us a sign note stating that Palma Coaches would refund the cost, which was 115 Euros. I have written to them ten times and have not received a reply. Transfer costs from the airport to the north of the island are very expensive and it is crucial that low cost transfer company operate correctly. Is there an government consumer office in Majorca that will take up my complaint. I am adamant that Palma Coaches make recompense for the lost time and money I incurred due to their negligence. For what it is worth I was not the only tourist that they let down, most others we met that had used Palma Coaches had similar horro stories. I have copies of the letter Palma Coaches gave me if they would help. Many Thanks Arthur Portelli
Initially this sounds a good idea, transfers can take hours by coaches, taxis are £100+ return to Alcudia, (which i'm happy to pay rather than sit on a coach for longer than the flight!) So my initial thought is good but where in the Towns will they drop tourists off? I can't see them driving around to the many Hotels dropping people off, so a central point perhaps, thus leaving people to drag their suitcases, kiddies etc through towns to get to their Hotel, supposing they are familiar to ir's location, which is going to stress them out even more, and how many tourists and their cases, pushchairs etc will each bus carry??
Good to know
I gave you a +tick Dave. But no chance of 'moonlighting' at the airport nowadays. Cameras checking all cars that enter. Don't go more than 2 times a day!! Taxi drivers hoped that would guarantee them jobs for life. At last a victory for the poor tourists!!
Judging from all my negative votes below, there are obviously a lot of fat DB readers moonlighting as taxi drivers!
Nothing like a bit of competition too bring the rip off merchants into line now watch the prices fall
How about Soller. Saves having to get two buses or bus and train. Will not use the cowboy taxis.
Not before time let us hope they run like the present bus service which goes into Palma city and to Arenal, the hopper service has gone downhill of late with long waiting times and airport office organisation next to useless.
Whoooaaaa.... wait to hear the taxi drivers union complain her very soon...(like the hoteliers they don't know that Franco's dead yet)
About time, however why not up North?? either to Pollenca or Port de Pollenca