More space on the bus: TIB presents 14 new articulated vehicles

More space on the bus: TIB presents 14 new articulated vehicles

More seats, USB ports and accessibility to the countryside

On Wednesday morning in the car park next to the Son Moix stadium they stood in a row: shiny, long buses that clearly differ from the usual vehicles in the TIB fleet. The transport agency has taken delivery of 14 new articulated buses, which are to be used on interurban lines immediately – more buses are planned during the year, bringing the total number of new vehicles to 26.

What stands out: most vehicles run on compressed natural gas (CNG) rather than diesel. One model measures 15 meters and has 53 seats; the others are 18 meters long and offer between around 50 and 75 places, depending on how standing space is used. Practical for short-distance riders and commuters: USB ports at the seats. For parents, older people and people with reduced mobility there are lifts and boarding ramps. Cameras are intended to provide additional security and overview, and accessibility and information measures have also been covered in When the Bus Speaks: More Orientation — but Also New Questions for the TIB.

The investment didn't come out of nowhere: the Balearic Government provided additional budget funds for the adjustment of the concessions and fleet renewal – an amount in the order of almost 150 million euros that made the expansion possible. Mobility Minister José Luis Mateo was present at the presentation; the new vehicles are intended for connections to the north, west and east of the island. These changes are part of broader TIB adjustments discussed in When Breaks Shape Timetables: TIB Changes and What They Mean for Mallorca.

For all those who use the bus daily, this is more than just a pretty parade: full articulated buses on popular routes are a familiar sight, especially in the morning and evening hours. More seats and slightly larger capacity mean less crowding, less stress for standing passengers and often a calmer journey. On the way from the Estació Intermodal in Palma, when the first buses leave in the morning, you often see holidaymakers with rolling suitcases, students with backpacks and older residents with shopping bags – for all these groups the new vehicles bring small, tangible improvements.

And another everyday detail: USB ports are not a gimmick. On the island, where bus trips can sometimes take longer, it's reassuring to be able to charge your phone on the go – for locals and tourists alike. Ramps and lifts make boarding and alighting easier when strollers, rollators or heavy bags are involved.

TIB buses are part of a larger mobility mix in Mallorca. In addition to the regional lines, the city buses of EMT in Palma, the SFM rail lines and the urban metro complement the offer. Those who leave the car at home more often will notice on busy traffic days: a wider and more modern bus network eases road congestion, reduces parking pressure and makes places like Valldemossa or Alcúdia easier to reach.

In the short term this means: if you travel on one of the heavily used interurban lines in the coming weeks, you can expect more comfort. In the medium term the investment could contribute to more people choosing the bus instead of the car – provided schedules and connections fit; for recent developments on driver breaks and timetable impacts, see Two times 15 minutes for TIB drivers: A step forward — but is that really enough?.

In the Son Moix car park, between honking tourist buses and the screech of a seagull, the scene on Wednesday felt almost optimistic: not a solution to all the island's traffic problems, but a tangible step that can make many people's everyday lives easier. And on an island that sees so much traffic in summer, that's worth more than it seems at first glance.