The current schedules will end on 30 October, after which it is understood that there will be minimum services during the off-season. As far as promotion is concerned, the services will be publicised at the major travel fairs over the winter (London, Madrid, Berlin). Mateu anticipates that demand will rise significantly next year as a result of this promotion. He adds that there is to be a fifth route in 2018 - one to Cala Ratjada.
Two of the four services started on 3 May. These were the Paguera-Magalluf and Alcudia Bay routes. Their earlier start is one reason (but only one) for their having proved to be the most popular. Paguera-Magalluf had 70,337 passengers to the end of September and the Alcudia Bay service had 43,049.
Cala Bona-Cala Millor, which started on 1 June, registered 20,671 users. The fourth route, and the last one to go into operation (on 15 June), is the Arenal-Cala d'Or service. It had 21,262 passengers.
Nothing is at present being said about the financial performance of these routes and whether there might be any compensation from the government for the bus companies operating them. A few weeks ago, the taxi drivers revealed that there could well be some compensation.
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Instead of these "jollies" to trade and holiday fair events, the people paid to promote tourism need to concentrate their efforts at the "hot" end of things where it generates new business ie. online. There still is no authoritative Mallorca website where you can see up-to-date lists of island events and activities and then proceed to book flights and accommodation. This island's tourism promotion is stuck in the Stone Age.
I arrived into Palma Airport on October 11 2017. To discover to my horror, that the Resort Buses had stopped at the end of September. THIS WAS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN. The Article states that the AeroTib Bus Service ends at the end of October. I could not use any other transfer service, as they have to be pre-booked. The Taxi cost was €95.00 to Cala Millor. The Editor has not acknowledged my e mail complaint, and not publicised the Papers error and the closure of the service.
Good idea John, I had no clue where the buses were located at the airport. I know the information desk could have assisted but signs would be great. Maybe the Taxi drivers would object.!!
I bet the taxi drivers don't like it one little bit but with the fall in the pound and the very high taxi fares,the buses will be used more and more.
The bus service is great especially going to the airport from the resorts. The timetables are on the bus stops so its easy to be organized for your return. Going to the resorts are a bit of a hit or a miss depending on when you get out of the airport. You could see the back of the bus disappearing round the corner then its an hour or so until the next one.
Why not put large notices up in the airport,a sign as passengers get off planes,a sign where pick up luggage,and signs outside the airport before taxi rank.And a sign where buses actually go from.