The Torrevieja Town Council has presented the implementation calendar for the new Municipal Urban Transport Service, a project representing the largest transformation of public mobility in the city in recent decades. The service will be rolled out progressively over the coming months to guarantee an orderly and effective transition for all users. The presentation was led by the Councillor for Transport, Antonio Vidal, and the Director of the Levante Zone of AVANZA, Luis González.
The new contract will significantly expand the coverage of the service, improve frequencies, and better connect neighbourhoods and urbanisations. It will also reinforce links to the University Hospital, health centres, schools, institutes, beaches, street markets, and La Mata, whilst incorporating major technological advances and a new fleet of low-emission buses. The rollout will take place across three major phases, designed to let citizens progressively adapt to the new transport model.
A progressive implementation to assist user adaptation
Antonio Vidal highlighted that the Town Council and AVANZA are working in a coordinated manner to advance the initially planned contract deadlines, allowing many improvements to come into operation several months ahead of schedule.
The councillor explained that the technical phase has been completed over recent weeks. This included finalising itineraries, stop locations, route trials, travel time measurements, and frequency configurations for the new lines. Simultaneously, staff recruitment, information campaigns, and user service offices have been prepared, whilst new stops have been signposted and a provisional fleet has been put into service to launch the system.
First phase: July 2026, the month of change
The implementation schedule begins this July, featuring a succession of milestones to help citizens familiarise themselves with the new service before it becomes fully operational.
The main dates are:
- 6th July: Opening of the user service offices to offer personalised information and begin managing future transport tickets.
- 13th July: Publication of the full maps for the new network of lines.
- 20th July: Official release of the timetables and frequencies for all lines.
- 24th July: Activation of the new service website, accessible via QR codes installed at shelters and on buses.
- 24th, 25th, and 26th July: Installation of all definitive information at shelters, new stops, offices, and municipal points.
- 27th July: Official launch of the new urban transport network using a transitional fleet of 32 buses.
An information campaign featuring leaflets, maps, social media, posters, and personalised attention will run during these weeks to assist users with the transition.
Second phase: October 2026, new cards and a new fare system arrive
The second stage of implementation will take place this October, bringing forward the schedule originally established in the contract by several months. During this phase, the rollout of new transport cards and passes will begin. These will coexist with current tickets until the end of 2026 to make the transition between both systems easier.
Additionally, a traffic light priority system for buses will be launched. This technological improvement aims to reduce travel times, improve punctuality, and increase service regularity. At the same time, work will continue on adapting facilities for the future introduction of the electric fleet.
Third phase: Transformation of urban transport culminates during 2027
The final phase of the project will take place during 2027, marking the completion of the comprehensive modernisation of Torrevieja’s urban transport.
Between March and June 2027, the definitive new fleet will be progressively introduced. It will consist of 32 low-emission buses, of which 6 will be electric and 26 hybrid, permanently replacing the temporary vehicles. The new service will practically double current capacity, growing from the 17 vehicles previously available (14 in service and 3 in reserve) to a total of 32 buses, significantly improving frequencies and expanding service coverage.
Furthermore, new onboard digital systems will be deployed during this phase, allowing passengers to check information, validate tickets via mobile devices, pay directly with a bank card, and experience a fully digitalised transport system.
The construction of new service facilities will also be completed, including depots, workshops, offices, an operational base, and recharging infrastructure for the new electric fleet.
Transport prepared for the Torrevieja of the future
The new urban transport model will feature 12 lines (9 daytime and 3 nighttime), cutting waiting times practically in half compared to the previous service. It will extend coverage to neighbourhoods and urbanisations, incorporate a transport-on-demand service for specific areas, and offer a much more accessible, digital, efficient, and sustainable system.
With this roadmap, Torrevieja Town Council begins a historic transformation of municipal public transport, designed to respond to the growth of the city and offer residents and visitors a modern, comfortable, connected service tailored to current and future mobility needs.
