The APB launches the new Bus Nàutic service linking the port of Palma with the city
This new maritime transport service is part of the redevelopment of the seafront promenade, with work due to be completed on 16 April
Palma
21/03/2025
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) unveiled a new public transport service today called “Bus Nàutic Palma”, a maritime bus that will connect different parts of the port of Palma with a view to improving mobility and reducing road traffic. The initiative comes as part of the Mobility Plan that came about after the redevelopment of the seafront promenade, which is set to finish on 16 April.
The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, appeared before the media today to announce the “Bus Nàutic Palma” project, which will operate with a minimum of three lines, offering a sustainable transport alternative for residents, port workers and tourists. The initial fleet will consist of at least four low-emission vessels, each with a capacity of 100 passengers. The fares will offer discounts to frequent passengers, promoting the use of the “Bus Nàutic” as a real sustainable transport alternative.
Sanz said the APB came up with this idea to fit in with the new promenade, which is all about “making more space for people to walk, making public areas more natural, and taking the focus away from cars”. That said, as part of its commitment to a sustainable transport model, he added that “the APB has proposed an alternative within its area of competence, namely the port's inland waters".
The main stops will include Maritime Station No. 6 on the West Quay, the Poniente Quay, the Golondrinas Quay, Portitxol and the royal steps of the Lonja Quay. The service will operate every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until midnight on weekends.
The APB plans to put the service concession out to public tender shortly, as part of its commitment to decarbonisation and the improvement of urban transport in the port area. The new "Bus Nàutic Palma" will be integrated into a broader Mobility Plan that seeks to transform the port-city area into a more accessible and sustainable space for pedestrians and cyclists. Among the measures planned is the creation of a "hub" or transport node on the Golondrinas quay, where different mobility alternatives such as conventional and electric bicycles, scooters and low-emission vehicles will be concentrated.
Completion of the work
Javier Sanz has confirmed that the works will be completed on 16 April, just before Easter, as promised by the APB several months ago. He explained that there has been a “change to the schedule” at the request of shopkeepers and residents affected by the works, "so we cannot talk about delays”. He recalled that the initial completion date was December 2014, but in order to ensure that the traders' business was not affected at any time, new deadlines for the paving of the pavements were agreed with each of them. Similarly, the rubbish containers were relocated at the request of local residents and business owners, which meant a further alteration to the planned schedule.
Although Sanz acknowledged that there are some outstanding issues in the overall project, "these do not affect the essence of the project, they do not cause any significant inconvenience to users and most of them will be finished by 31 July".
The president of the APB has put forward another date, 5 October, as the date for the celebration of "a new space for the people of Palma". The event will feature activities for the whole family, including a charity fun run and various environmental awareness workshops, coinciding with the end of the tourist season for the enjoyment of residents. During the preceding months, initiatives such as tree planting and educational activities will be carried out to familiarise the public with the new space.
Mutual benefits
During his appearance, Javier Sanz highlighted the benefits that this project, worth close to forty million euros, will bring to both the port and the city. The project is being carried out by a joint venture formed by the Mallorcan companies Melchor Mascaró, Vopsa, Aglomsa and Urbient.
The new promenade has completely renovated underground facilities, including improvements to the rainwater and wastewater separation system, modernisation of urban service pipes and optimisation of irrigation water use.
In addition, special attention has been paid to the integration of the landscape into the surrounding area, with the planting of nearly two thousand new trees and the expansion of more than 40,000 square metres of green areas. These measures aim to improve environmental quality and create new shaded areas and rest areas for citizens.
