The regional government of the Balearic Islands found an age-old plan in its drawer: a tram is to connect Palma de Mallorca Airport with Playa de Palma in the future. This beach is particularly known by holidaymakers for exuberant parties. The financing of the project is not yet in the dry cloths, admits the member of the regional government responsible for transport, Jaume Mateu.
Of course, there are no plans to build a kind of express tram from the gate to the beach bars. The aim is to improve transport connections and thereby reduce bus and taxi traffic. In the first stage of expansion, the tramway should not even go to the beach, because initially the existing route of the historic tourist train "Roter Blutz" will be used to connect the hospital with the city.
The construction of the airport connection and the extension to Arenal will not begin until around 2023. It is not yet clear whether it will be a continuous line or whether several will be created. The expansion of the metro is excluded, however, as the authority is of the opinion that the volume of traffic is insufficient. The construction costs of a tram are also significantly lower.
According to a media statement, the regional government expects construction costs of up to 400 million euros. The money is not available, however, but hopes for grants from the central government and the European Union. The construction of the tram should also create additional jobs on the island. There is a contract from 2007 which states that Madrid will have to contribute 225 million euros for the expansion of the tramway.
Whether or not Palma de Mallorca Airport will have a tram connection from around 2023: That is still in the stars. More than ten years ago, the project was abandoned due to high construction and operating costs. Now comes the second attempt, which, by the way, is also argued with climate protection.
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