Balearic Government plans for expanding the rail network in Mallorca include a line from central Palma to Son Espases Hospital and then onto the neighbouring municipality of Calvia. Based on anticipated demand, this would mean a rail line to the resorts of Magalluf-Palmanova, Santa Ponsa and Paguera.
The SFM rail operator is currently studying the feasibility of an extension to Son Espases. The study is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early 2026. If this confirms government expectations, the extension would pave the way for a subsequent connection to Calvia.
José Ramón Orta of SFM says: "The train is a high-capacity means of transport, so the construction of a new railway line is justified if it will transport a lot of people. And we know that the Palma Bay area is where the greatest demand is." A priority is to seek public transport alternatives where traffic jams are most common and areas where, Orta points out, "buses are not an option".
Regardless of which political parties have been in power, Calvia Town Hall has long wanted a railway. The current administration, it is said, would be "very pleased" if this project were to finally see the light of day. Going to the resorts would be logical especially because of demand during the tourism season from both tourists and workers. The possibility of further extension to Andratx will also be considered.
The train to Son Espases and the planned route in the other direction to the airport and Llucmajor effectively replace the tram project presented by the previous government. The Francina Armengol administration did also talk about a public transport link to Calvia - tram rather than train.
At present, the two rail projects that are most advanced in terms of planning are the airport/Llucmajor and Sa Pobla to Alcudia. Both have run into local opposition, the government targets for completion being 2032 for Llucmajor and 2031 for Alcudia. The future of a third project, the reactivation of the Manacor to Arta line, is more vague. SFM doesn't believe there is the same level of demand as the other two.