Environmentalists Terraferida are accusing the Balearic government of having neglected public transport as an alternative to the use of private cars. The group has presented 25 suggestions for the government's transport plan and considers it "incomprehensible" that the plan, as it has been drafted, overlooks various aspects of public transport in Majorca.
If residents and tourists make "massive use" of private cars, argue Terraferida, it is because of "a lack of public transport alternatives and deficient connections". Believing public transport to be a "basic service as important as education and health", the group has itemised a number of initiatives it would like to be adopted.
Terraferida's proposals include the recovery of rail services - the eastern link from Manacor to Arta, one from Palma to Santanyi and another between Felanitx and Santa Maria. It also suggests new services and extending the metro to the airport and to Son Espases Hospital.
The group wants increased bus frequencies and faster services plus better connections. With rail transport, it is criticising the government for not contemplating "a metre of railway" and for instead backing plans for roads and private cars "as the key part of mobility in Majorca".
The Council of Majorca also comes in for criticism. "Despite ever more jams on many roads, especially coming into Palma, the authorities, specifically the Council of Majorca, are wanting new roads and to extend existing ones and to create by-passes and roundabouts with a high ecological and economic impact."
Further Terraferida proposals are for a tax on hire cars and a limit to their numbers.