TIB bus driver tested positive: Line 104 bus in Palma stopped

Plaza del Progreso: Line 104 bus comes to a halt, passengers exit calmly

Yesterday at around 5:20 p.m. a journey from Magaluf to Palma came to an abrupt end at the Plaza del Progreso. Several passengers had called the police en route because they perceived the driver's behaviour as dangerous. On site, the Guardia Civil asked the roughly 80 people on board to leave the bus in an orderly manner – suitcases, flip‑flops, tired holiday faces under Mallorca's warm late‑afternoon sun.

Key question: How safe are our intercity connections really?

The central question raised by this incident is not only: Was the driver under the influence of drugs? But: How could it come to this at all? The answers concern not only an individual, but the system behind the daily connections between holiday resorts like Magaluf and the island capital.

What happened on site and what is often overlooked

The Guardia Civil carried out a drug test on the driver at the scene, which proved positive. A replacement TIB driver took over shortly afterwards and continued the journey. The intervention was widely praised on site – yet there are aspects that initial reports often neglect. For example: Who routinely checks the fitness for duty of driving personnel? How often are unannounced controls carried out, especially in the high season when time pressure is high and driver turnover increases?

Little considered: working conditions and prevention

Behind such incidents there are often structural reasons. Who are the drivers – permanent employees, temporary staff, subcontractors? What do break times and shift schedules look like when the sun is beating down and buses shuttle between holiday resorts? Fatigue, stress and language barriers are factors that receive little attention in public debate but can influence road safety.

Concrete measures: What should be reviewed and improved now

The experience at Plaza del Progreso suggests concrete recommendations. First: regular, unannounced drug and alcohol tests for drivers on all intercity lines. Second: better monitoring of working hours and realistic duty rosters so that fatigue does not become a safety risk. Third: technical solutions such as telematics monitoring, daily reports on driving style, and optional vital checks before the start of a shift.

Technology, control and prevention – a pragmatic mix

Telematics units that report abrupt braking, excessive speed or other risky maneuvers would not be science fiction. Combined with periodic medical fitness checks and clear reporting channels for passengers, the system could become significantly more robust. Of course data protection and fair treatment of drivers are important topics in this discussion – nevertheless: public safety must come first.

What passengers can do

For travellers, prevention remains partly their responsibility: trust your instincts, note the bus number or time if in doubt, and report suspicious behaviour immediately to the police (emergency number 112) or by phone to the bus operator. A photo or short video often helps — of course only if it does not endanger your own safety.

Looking ahead: Opportunities for Mallorca

The incident has an unpleasant core – but also an opportunity: if authorities and operators take it seriously, it could lead to better standards for all intercity connections. More transparency, mandatory health checks, technical support and open complaint procedures would not only increase safety but also give visitors and residents greater confidence that Mallorca's roads are safe.

Conclusion

The bus stop at Plaza del Progreso was a wake‑up call on a hot afternoon: it reminded us that a single call from fellow passengers can save lives – but also that prevention and control must be expanded systematically. Investigations are ongoing; until reliable results are available, the main question remains how the island can prevent such scenes from repeating in the future.