The municipal transport company, the EMT, yesterday presented six new electric buses, two of which will eventually be used in the old part of the city. The company now has a fleet of eight electric buses and is awaiting delivery of four more, which will make Palma the Spanish city with the biggest number of buses which do not pollute the atmosphere. Deputy Mayor Pedro Alvarez, who is also president of the EMT said that each of the buses had cost 150'253.03 euros (25 million pesetas), but thanks to their low energy consumption, they will have paid for themselves within 18 months. The company hopes to increase its fleet of buses to 150, including electric and conventional fuelled vehicles, which will enable the company to increase the frequency of the service on all lines. Alvarez said that he hoped to reduce waiting times to a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes. Alvarez also said that the bus stop in the Plaza de la Reina will be moved to Calle Antoni Maura so that more than two articulated buses will not coincide at this junction. In renewing its fleet of buses, the EMT has several articulated buses, which carry more passengers, but have difficulty in negotiating some of the narrow streets in Palma. Mayor Joan Fageda, who was also at the presentation, said that two of the electric buses would be used in the historical centre as soon as work is finished. This new line will enter via Calle Conquistador, go through Plaza Cort and Colom, along the Avenidas and back to the old part of the city after travelling along the Paseo Mallorca and Jaime III. The six new buses are made by Mercedes Benz and have a capacity for 55 persons, including two places for the disabled. Each has an 118hp engine and is nine metres long. As the old buses are withdrawn from service they are over-hauled and then sent to Third World countries, equipped with spare parts and loaded with humanitarian aid. An EMT mechanic usually accompanies the convoy to show recipients how to maintain the vehicles.
City has six new electric buses which will reduce pollution