More Breaks, More Safety: Mallorca Makes Mandatory Rest Breaks for Bus Drivers

Short Breaks, Big Impact

If you walk past the Estació Intermodal in Palma this morning, you’ll hear it at the stops: drivers taking time for an espresso after their shift. This may sound trivial, but it is part of a small revolution in Mallorca’s public transport. From now on, bus drivers who do not use a tachograph will have two fixed breaks of 15 minutes each in their timetable.

How did it come about?

The SATI union fought relentlessly for it. After the strike in July and several heated talks, operators, the Consorci de Transports Mallorca (CTM) and the authorities sat down at the table. The result: an agreement that regulates the breaks and ensures that the service frequency is not simply thinned out. They want to reorder driving times, check small route changes, and create gaps where breaks are possible.

Why this matters

I’ve spoken with some drivers: They report hectic shifts in summer, little time for toilet breaks or a quick drink of water. Fatigue and stress increase the risk of accidents — the island has sadly experienced this several times this year. Policy makers and the transport operators argue that a rested driver automatically means a safer vehicle at the wheel.

Concretes over promises

Regular meetings between the union, CTM and companies are planned to monitor implementation. January already has a session scheduled to discuss the special requirements of the peak season. The aim is clear: insert breaks without cutting routes. The solution sounds pragmatic: small timetable adjustments, consolidation of idle times, and better coordination between operators.

For tourists and locals, this ultimately means more safety. And for the drivers? More respect and a workday that takes on more humane characteristics again. Whether this works smoothly in practice remains to be seen. But it is a step in the right direction — a step many of those I spoke with welcomed openly.