Puente champions the rail network in Palma while the PP insists on rejecting the tram

PalmTransport Minister Óscar Puente offered the government his support on Monday to expand the rail network in Mallorca. He stated that rail is "the Spanish government's biggest commitment" because it is the "most sustainable" mode of transport and the Balearic Islands cannot "be left behind." He made this statement during the presentation of Palma's seafront promenade. Meanwhile, Palma's mayor, Jaime Martínez, reiterated the People's Party's (PP) opposition to the tram project planned by the previous government, but asked the minister if the €200 million that had been allocated could be used for other infrastructure. During the visit to the seafront promenade renovation, President Marga Prohens took the opportunity to ask Puente to unblock the new rail agreement. Both officials discussed the status of rail projects in the archipelago, such as those in Llucmajor and Alcúdia. According to EFE, the president also demanded that the minister pay the outstanding road agreements to the island councils and explore the possibility of moving forward with airport co-management. She also asked the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, to guarantee the continuation of free public transport through 2026 and to ensure payment of the outstanding amount from 2025.

"18 football fields" pedestrianized

Meanwhile, the minister celebrated the completion of the seafront promenade renovation, which, he said, has freed up the equivalent of 18 football fields for pedestrian use and represents an investment of 50 million euros. The minister emphasized the "humanization of the seafront promenade" and highlighted that 95 percent of the material removed during the construction work has been reused.