The first working day of August starts with overcrowded trains and users who cannot get on them
Users report that they have not been able to board trains to go to work, while the PSIB and the Train Users Association demand that the Government maintain the usual service or offer alternatives
PalmaThe reduction in train frequencies in Mallorca began this Monday, the first working day of August, with carriages full to bursting, passenger accumulations at stations, and even users who could not board the train to go to work.
The decrease in service, motivated by the works being carried out in the Son Rullan area, has reduced daily departures from 74 to 35 per direction, meaning that throughout the day only one train runs every half hour between Palma, Inca, Manacor, and sa Pobla.
The first incidents were not long in coming. Service user G.R. explained to ARA Balears that this Monday he could not board the 7:20 a.m. train because the convoy was full. "They removed the 7:10 a.m. frequency and the next train was at 7:45 a.m. We had to go very close together as we arrived in the city, like sardines," he recounted. In this regard, he explained that the total capacity is 124 people and that, in his opinion, this limitation was "clearly" exceeded, a fact that puts users at risk.
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The Mallorca Train Users Association had already warned before the entry into force of the new timetable that the reduction of frequencies was "absolutely unjustifiable" during the month of August and had requested Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) and the Government to maintain the usual service.
The entity considers that August continues to be a month with high mobility, both for residents and visitors, and warns that the reduction of trains will increase waiting times, favor the overcrowding of trains and make public transport less competitive compared to private vehicles. Furthermore, it maintains that the measure contradicts the objectives of promoting more sustainable mobility and recalls that the train is an essential service that must offer quality services throughout the year.
MÉS accuses the Government of "abandoning" users
MÉS per Mallorca also reported this Monday that the new timetables for Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) involve the elimination of 52% of rail services during August and has demanded that the usual frequencies be reinstated.
The deputy Ferran Rosa has criticized that the Government has reduced the connections between Palma and Inca to one train every half hour, when there were usually trains every ten minutes, and that the lines to sa Pobla and Manacor have gone from a frequency of 40 minutes to one hour. "With the roads more saturated than ever and gasoline through the roof, the Government decides to eliminate 52% of train services," he lamented.
According to Rosa, the situation is especially serious in the municipalities of Marratxí, Santa Maria, Consell, Alaró, Binissalem, and Lloseta, which do not have a direct public transport alternative to Palma.
The party also criticized that the works on the railway network had been known for years and, despite this, no alternative bus service has been provided. "The result is clear: there are practically the same users, but half the trains. People end up traveling like sardines and minutes are lost at each stop," stated the deputy, who assured that this very Monday delays have already been registered that have caused lost connections with the metro.
As an example, Rosa explained that a train from Marratxí arrived six minutes late at the Intermodal station, causing passengers to miss the 7:05 am metro and have to wait until 7:35 am. "In summary: an hour's journey between Marratxí and Parc Bit," he concluded.
The deputy argued that the problem is not the works, but the lack of planning and personnel. According to him, SFM has been carrying a deficit of about 25 drivers for three years and only two have been incorporated during this legislature, a situation that, in his opinion, prevents covering summer holidays and ends up affecting the nearly 700,000 users who use the service during the month of August.
MÉS recalled, finally, that Parliament has already spoken out on several occasions in favor of maintaining rail frequencies throughout the year and increasing the number of drivers, and has called on the Government to rectify and restore the usual timetables.
The PSIB demands alternatives
The PSIB also lashed out this Monday at the Government for the reduction of frequencies and demanded that it propose alternatives while the works last.
The socialist councilor in the Consell de Mallorca, Jaume Mateu, has denounced the images of overcrowding inside the carriages, the accumulation of passengers at the stations, and the "lack of information" to users. As he stated, "users cannot be affected in such a brutal way without having an alternative".
The socialists propose that the works at Son Rullan be carried out at night or, if this is not possible, that alternative services be reinforced to avoid disruptions that they describe as "very serious". Likewise, they accuse the Executive of a lack of planning and of having notably worsened the rail service due to a lack of foresight and empathy with travelers.