Formentera rolls out it's summer transportation plan

The Public Transportation Plan for the summer season has been in effect since 15 May, and this summer marks a continued effort to improve last year's service, adapting this year's increases in demand in the central summer months to improved quality and a greater quantity of stops. This year the timetable has been divided into two periods: one from 15 May to 30 June and the other from 1 July to 30 September, the objective being to optimise service in the heaviest months of the season and to fill in shortcomings detected last summer.

With a total of six lines of regular service, plus two routes with tourist itineraries, aimed at both residents and tourists, the goal of this transportation plan is to increase the service's flexibility and bring public transport closer to the local population.

The ensemble of bus lines covers all areas of the island. The L1 navigates the perimeter of the Estany Pudent. This line carries out 21 trips daily during the month of June and, beginning 1 July, the number of complete daily trips will reach 26, in addition to three partial trips per day. This level of service meets current demand.

The L2 is the line that handles the greatest passenger volume and currently makes 15 daily trips, while in July this figure will reach 22. The L2 line begins in the Port of La Savina and ends in La Mola Lighthouse, with stops in Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran, Es Ca Marí, Es Caló and Maryland. During the day it operates every 75 minutes and includes a period of nighttime service, arriving at the Port of La Savina at 1 am. In August and September this service will be augmented.

The trajectory of the L3 line runs from La Savina to Ses Illetes beach, passing – in between – through Es Pujols. This bus line includes the possibility of a day-pass, with which tourists can enjoy a beach visit with pick-up service afterward. Between 10 July and 10 September this line's service continues through to 8 pm. The L3 has a line of regular service in addition to a tourist itinerary existing between Es Mirador and La Mola Lighthouse.

The L5 goes from Sant Francesc to Cala Saona, with four complete daily trips. The L7 offers bus service from different island points in the direction of Ses Salines Natural Park, and is intended for island visitors staying in the tourist areas of Maryland and Es Ca Marí. This line makes one round-trip daily, departing from Maryland and stopping in Es Caló, Es Ca Marí, Sant Ferran, Es Pujols beach and Sa Roqueta, with the final stop at Ses Illetes beach.

Additionally, the Bus Market will offer continued service this year, connecting the island's major tourist centres with La Mola Market. This bus makes three stops, one at the look-out spot (Es Mirador) of La Mola, the second at La Mola Lighthouse, and finally stopping at the artisanal market, making return trips starting at 7 pm.

The application of a large number transportation measures on the island has resulted in growth in the number of bus service users, achieved simply by incrementing stop frequencies and restructuring the bus schedules. The augmentation of trips made by existing bus lines – established last year – has translated to an increase in the number of passengers. The Office of Mobility has always strived to create innovative offers like the day-pass or the Bus Market, measures which have notably boosted use of services and allowed visitors and residents alike the opportunity to comfortably move about the island.

All of the bus lines are in operation every day of the week.