Palma plans new waterbus: Two bidders want to operate the 'Bus Nàutic'

A waterbus for Palma: Between Portixol and the cruise port

At Moll Vell Quay under a slightly cloudy sky, I recently spoke with locals who walk the Passeig Marítim every day: "Finally an alternative to traffic jams," said Maria, who feeds her cat in the backyard and takes the bus every morning. The city administration plans to introduce the so-called Bus Nàutic from 2026, a water connection that will link Portixol with Palma's cruise port.

Who will operate the project?

Currently there are two bidders: the large tourist group TUI and a corporate consortium under the designation UTE. Both have submitted concepts that differ in details but promise the same: fast connections, environmentally friendly drives, and regular frequencies.

Three routes are planned with a total of four boats, each for around 100 passengers. According to the tender, the boats should operate daily from 07:00 to 22:00, even until 00:00 on weekends. Commuters, port workers and tourists should have an alternative to the car – and without the winding shoreline road between Portixol and the harbor.

How would it change everyday life?

I thought about it backwards: imagine you board after around 08:00 at the small pier near Calle de la Reina Sofia, drink a coffee from the kiosk along the way, and alight relaxed at the cruise port – no searching for parking and honking. The carrying capacity sounds reasonable, but whether the frequencies are really as tight as planned remains to be seen.

Some neighbors are worried: Will there be noise? Who controls the ticket prices? Others look forward to fewer cars on the Passeig and better connections to the ferries. A local cafe at the mole hopes for more customers, while an environmental group asks what engine technology will be used specifically.

What remains open?

The decision will be made in the coming months. Authorities and bidders still need to clarify details about maintenance, accessibility, and connection with the city's public transport. If all goes smoothly, the first test runs could start in 2026. Until then, the plan is: plan, verify, ask questions – and perhaps leave the old town for an early morning test ride.

Bottom line: A waterbus can bring real benefits to Palma – if the timetable, price, and environmental requirements are right. I will stay tuned and report as soon as the award is official.