Loseta criticizes SFM for the lack of night trains during Carnival and warns that it affected safety

PalmThe Lloseta Town Council has expressed its regret that Mallorca Railway Services (SFM) has still not responded to the formal request (Exp. 91/2026) to provide night train services during the early hours of Saturday, February 14th to Sunday, February 15th, which coincided with the Carnival celebrations in the municipality. According to Javier González, Councilor for Mobility, speaking to ARA Baleares, the request was submitted in anticipation of many young people—especially minors—traveling to the town for Carnival. "We received information, through various sources, that many young people were forwarding a message via WhatsApp to go to Lloseta," he explained.

In this context, the City Council formally requested the implementation of night trains to facilitate the safe return of attendees after the main events of the festival. They also requested that, within the service's capabilities, all available frequencies be scheduled to allow travel to Lloseta on Sunday, February 15th, and that, for safety reasons, entry and exit shifts be temporarily suspended to avoid overcrowding inside the station and at platform access points. The City Council argues that these measures aimed to reduce private vehicle use, improve road safety, and promote sustainable mobility. However, they assert that the requests were not only ignored, but that they also received no response whatsoever from the public company. The City Council has linked this lack of service to the accident in which a minor was hit by a train and hospitalized in critical condition, suggesting that, "perhaps," a night train service could have prevented the accident. The train users' association also criticized SFM's decision, calling the refusal to provide night trains "completely unfortunate." However, the councilor has avoided placing full responsibility on the company. Sources within the City Council have also criticized SFM for opting to increase daytime frequencies with 16 additional services between Saturday and Sunday. While acknowledging the positive step, they emphasize that it did not address the primary need: providing night service to ensure the safe return of attendees. "The inability to travel by train on the night of February 14th, coupled with the high number of young people—which was further increased by the higher frequencies—meant that many young people were unable to return home using a safe service like the train," they stated. According to the City Council, the situation also led to an increase in incidents in the municipality, such as vandalism, littering, and disturbances to residents. Finally, the Council stated that this is not the first time SFM has ignored requests for improvements in Lloseta and denounced the "lack of investment and involvement" in the station and its surroundings. For all these reasons, they urged the public company to take an active role in planning mobility related to major events in the municipality, with a clear commitment to safety and sustainability. "The City Council will continue to defend the interests of Lloseta and demand the services our town deserves," they concluded.