Benidorm wants to agree with the Generalitat a new model of urban public transport

Plaza de Sus Majestades los Reyes de España has been the scene where a new hybrid bus model for urban transport has been presented today. The Councilor for Mobility, José Ramón González de Zárate, together with the head of the Environment, Mónica Gómez, have participated in the second day of the Mobility Week in Benidorm, dedicated to public transport.

"It is a model - said González de Zárate - hybrid, the latest technology that has free Wi-Fi and USB charging points." The actions planned for the Mobility Week provide that "all" users of lines 02 and 03 who board the bus at the Orts Llorca Avenue stop "do not pay a ticket". Also, on the 22nd, ‘Day without cars’ “line 10 customers using the hybrid vehicle will not pay” throughout the day.

New model of public transport

Regarding public transport in Benidorm, González de Zárate believes that it must be “much more efficient and sustainable”. The councillor recalled that the competences in the matter are not from the City Council, but from the Generalitat, from whom Llorente Bus company of Avanza group is a concessionaire.

"We want to say something about the public transport of our city," says the councilor and recalls that the current concession is extended "already three years." Now, the Generalitat "has returned to draw a new concession." Therefore, "from Benidorm an allegation has been presented" to try to agree with the Generalitat a model that takes into account Benidorm "the most important city in the region and where all services pass".

It is necessary to "change the concept of public transport in our city," said González de Zárate. At present it responds more to the needs of tourism than to that of the neighbors. "That is tourist, but also for the city, for citizens." That is why, from Benidorm, meetings have been held with the municipalities of the region "and all have shown us their support" by a model managed by the Generalitat but "with the City of Benidorm and all municipalities" of the Marina Baixa.

Benidorm has already asked in writing to meet the new director of Public Works, Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Roser Marco, named last week, with whom González de Zárate wants to agree on issues “as fundamental to the city as street transport and public transport” . In spite of the little time in her job “we know that she is an expert” in the matter.