Passengers in Alcoy could start travelling on a fleet of new buses from September. The city prepares for major changes to its urban transport network.
Alcoy Town Hall has already completed the purchase process for nine new buses. These are expected to arrive after the summer.
The new vehicles will join the existing service while the council continues work on awarding a new long-term public transport contract.
Nine new buses
The new fleet includes a mix of diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles.
The order consists of:
- Five Otokar buses
- One King Long electric bus
- Three Mercedes-Benz hybrid buses
The King Long vehicle is the same model as the two electric buses already operating in Alcoy.
City officials expect all nine buses to be delivered in September before entering service shortly afterwards.
New operator will take over costs
The current operator has managed the purchase process. The company that wins the future transport contract will eventually take responsibility for the vehicles.
The total investment amounts to approximately €2.7 million.
The council hopes the new buses will improve reliability and help modernise the city’s public transport network ahead of the next concession period.
Alcoy: Larger bus network planned
Draft plans for the new service include a number of significant changes.
The contract will run for 10 years with no extension options. At the end of that period, the Town Hall will have the option of bringing the service back under direct municipal control.
The proposed operating cost is around €3 million per year, with approximately €1 million expected to come from passenger fares.
The overall contract value has been set at €38.8 million, including potential modifications of up to 20% during the life of the agreement, as permitted under Spanish procurement rules.
The plans also include additional routes and an increase in the number of buses operating across the city.
