Two weeks in, Consell takes stock of scheme to regulate inbound vehicles

imatge-carretera-de-la-mola foThe Formentera Department of Mobility wishes to report that there were 19,183 cars and motor scooters authorised for operation on local roads in July. The figure is an average, and accounts for tourists and island residents both, not to mention vehicles with special exemptions.

In July, 7,720 local drivers were given the go-ahead to use their cars. Similar accreditation went to 2,594 rental cars and 6,257 rental scooters. All three represent the average number of vehicles over the two weeks since the programme—the first of its kind in Spain—launched.

First permits run out
Starting with visitors who brought their compact car from Eivissa during the first two weekends of the month, motorists have already maxed out July quotas in each category. Additional applications from Eivissa drivers hoping to bring a vehicle to Formentera were processed under the more general visitors' category.

Eivissa residents also reached the limit on scooters during the first half of the month. Administration officials discovered some of those applicants had jobs on the island—a fact entitling them to authorisation in a different category. “These drivers were processed in the right category, once again leaving space for scooter riders from Eivissa”, explained mobility councillor Rafael González.

The councillor pointed out that ferry companies continue to collaborate in the measure by serving as an information source for visiting tourists. “This means that visitors are already familiar with the measure when they arrive—ticking the box on one of our top priorities in the programme's maiden year”. González seized the chance to remind islanders that they too must get permission to drive on Formentera in July and August, and that certification can be requested easily on www.formentera.eco.

The councillor said that a device at the entry/exit point on carrer Almadrava will continue to take readings of all incoming vehicle plate numbers. Though the priority this year is building awareness about the regulation scheme, legislation establishes a system of fines of between €1,000 and €10,000. Tourists who bring compact cars pay €1/day and €0.50/ day for scooters.

Authorised vehicles during the first half of July (average)

Cars (visiting drivers) 657
Scooters (visiting drivers) 97
Cars (Mallorca and Menorca residents) 91
Scooters (Mallorca and Menorca residents) 27
Electric vehicles (visiting drivers) 44
Hybrid vehicles (visiting drivers) 21
Cars (Eivissa residents) 211
Scooters (Eivissa residents) 20
Vehicles (Formentera residents) 7720
Vehicles (drivers with second residence on Formentera) 413
Vehicles (Eivissa residents employed on Formentera) 60
Vehicles (drivers with reduced mobility) 32
Vehicles (local businesses) 379
Vehicles (freight) 359
Official and public service vehicles 40
Vehicles for public good 124
Industrial machinery 32
Classic or historical vehicles 5
Rental cars 2,594
Rental bikes 6,257

Total 19,183

18 July 2019
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera