C.M.W..MaóWith effect from the first week in April, the town of Ciutadella will follow in Maó´s footsteps and have its own bus service. Run by Autocares Torres, the route will cover 11.4 kilometres with 26 bus stops and will connect the town centre to all the schools, the medical centre, sports centre, the new police station, the industrial estate and the ferry terminal.
The new service was presented last week by the President of the Island Council, Joana Barceló, and the Mayor of Ciutadella, Llorenç Brondo, both of whom were convinced that the project would be a success. The Councillor for Transport, Damià Borràs, and the head of Autocares Torres, Isidro Bellota, explained that the objective was to attract between 100 and 150 passengers per day with a view to extending the service, which at present will operate between 0700 and 1900 hrs., and running more buses over a longer period of the day. From April until September a minibus will leave the Plaza de Es Pins and the Ferry Terminal every hour, operating seven days a week. The basic ticket will cost 1.20 euros but discounts will be available.
Ciutadella Council will have to authorise the new bus stops which at the moment are only marked by a post on which the timetable is displayed. The bus company has given an assurance that the buses will run on time.
According to Joana Barceló and Damià Borràs, the six month period will be a trial which will serve to pinpoint any shortcomings in the service and allow changes and improvements to be made. Once the line has been established, bus shelters can be designed and then installed by the Council.
Isidro Bellota explained that the route had been planned to cover the largest geographical area possible with buses running reasonably frequently. The company had purchased a bus, at a cost of 120,000 euros, which would take 30 people, half of whom would be seated, and was equipped to accommodate people with mobility problems.
Timetable
The Ciutadella bus will leave from the Plaza de Es Pins at 0700 hrs. and the Ferry Terminal at 0730 hrs., these being the first and last stops on the route. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the buses will start one hour later. The idea is that the bus will operate at night at a later date.
Prices
The basic cost of a ticket will be 1.20 euros but substantial discounts will be available to certain sections, such as handicapped people and pensioners (50%), schoolchildren (70%) and regular commuters (varying between 40% and 60%).
Passenger levels
The bus which has been purchased by Autocares Torres is capable of carrying 28-30 passengers and could thus transport around 300 people a day. The initial objective during the trial stage, however, is to carry an average of 100-150 passengers per day.
The Island Council has given the bus company an assurance that it will not lose money by operating this route and has undertaken to assume any deficit that may result. nC.M.W.
Maó
With effect from the first week in April, the town of Ciutadella will follow in Maó´s footsteps and have its own bus service. Run by Autocares Torres, the route will cover 11.4 kilometres with 26 bus stops and will connect the town centre to all the schools, the medical centre, sports centre, the new police station, the industrial estate and the ferry terminal.
The new service was presented last week by the President of the Island Council, Joana Barceló, and the Mayor of Ciutadella, Llorenç Brondo, both of whom were convinced that the project would be a success. The Councillor for Transport, Damià Borràs, and the head of Autocares Torres, Isidro Bellota, explained that the objective was to attract between 100 and 150 passengers per day with a view to extending the service, which at present will operate between 0700 and 1900 hrs., and running more buses over a longer period of the day. From April until September a minibus will leave the Plaza de Es Pins and the Ferry Terminal every hour, operating seven days a week. The basic ticket will cost 1.20 euros but discounts will be available.
Ciutadella Council will have to authorise the new bus stops which at the moment are only marked by a post on which the timetable is displayed. The bus company has given an assurance that the buses will run on time.
According to Joana Barceló and Damià Borràs, the six month period will be a trial which will serve to pinpoint any shortcomings in the service and allow changes and improvements to be made. Once the line has been established, bus shelters can be designed and then installed by the Council.
Isidro Bellota explained that the route had been planned to cover the largest geographical area possible with buses running reasonably frequently. The company had purchased a bus, at a cost of 120,000 euros, which would take 30 people, half of whom would be seated, and was equipped to accommodate people with mobility problems.
Timetable
The Ciutadella bus will leave from the Plaza de Es Pins at 0700 hrs. and the Ferry Terminal at 0730 hrs., these being the first and last stops on the route. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the buses will start one hour later. The idea is that the bus will operate at night at a later date.
Prices
The basic cost of a ticket will be 1.20 euros but substantial discounts will be available to certain sections, such as handicapped people and pensioners (50%), schoolchildren (70%) and regular commuters (varying between 40% and 60%).
Passenger levels
The bus which has been purchased by Autocares Torres is capable of carrying 28-30 passengers and could thus transport around 300 people a day. The initial objective during the trial stage, however, is to carry an average of 100-150 passengers per day.
The Island Council has given the bus company an assurance that it will not lose money by operating this route and has undertaken to assume any deficit that may result.
