Prohens minimizes TIB saturation and announces reservations on only one frequency of the Sóller line
The Government assures that only 2% of bus services register saturation, but will launch a pilot test on the route that has generated the most complaints among the residents of the Serra
PalmaThe President of the Government, Marga Prohens, assured this Monday that the saturation in interurban public transport affects only 2% of TIB services. However, the Executive will launch a pilot test for prior reservation starting July 1st on line 203, which connects Port de Sóller, Deià, Valldemossa, and Palma, one of the routes that has generated the most complaints in recent months among residents of the Serra de Tramuntana.
The main novelty announced by the Government after a new meeting of the Social Dialogue Table and the Pact for Sustainability will be precisely this pilot test. As Prohens explained, the system will allow seat reservations in advance, but initially, it will only be applied to one daily frequency of the line.
The president defended that the measure aims to guarantee access to public transport for residents and users of the single ticket on those routes that register higher pressure. She also remarked that the initiative will be experimental and that, depending on the results, it could be extended to other lines in the network.
The announcement comes in a context marked by recurrent complaints from residents of the Serra, especially on the line connecting Port de Sóller with Palma, where during the months of highest tourist influx, saturation episodes have occurred that have left users without a seat on the bus.
Users without a seat
Despite this, Prohens has insisted that the problem is limited. According to her statement, only 2% of TIB services register saturation situations. The president herself has admitted, however, that line 203 is one of those that generates the most incidents and one of those that leaves the most residents without a place.
During the appearance, the head of the Executive has claimed the actions promoted this legislature in terms of public transport. According to the data provided by the Government, an additional 150 million euros have been allocated to the TIB network, which has allowed the service to be increased by 50%, frequencies to be expanded, and new vehicles to be incorporated.
The Executive has also highlighted the reinforcements applied this season to various lines with high demand. Among these are line 204 from Port de Sóller, which has increased frequencies by 15%; line 104 from Magaluf, with two new buses; line 302 from Can Picafort and Alcúdia, with an increase in vehicle capacity; and line 401 between Cala Millor and Manacor, where larger buses have been incorporated. From July 1, as announced by Prohens, lines 104, 203, and 302 will also be reinforced.
The meeting of the Social Dialogue Table has also served to address other issues linked to the Sustainability Pact. The Government has announced that it is working with the Ministry of Labour, the Calvià Town Hall, and business associations on a pilot plan for sustainable labor mobility that will include shuttle buses for workers. The initiative will be made known in more detail in the coming weeks.
The Sustainability Pact has been marked by controversy from the outset. The opposition and social entities abandoned it upon seeing that it did not specify measures against saturation or focused on changing the model.