The Mayor of Vélez-Málaga, Francisco Delgado Bonilla, has announced that the Tranvia tram system operationg between Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar will cease operating on October 31st.
The reasons given for the decision are the lack of financial support from the Junta de Andalucia and mounting municipal debt as a result of operating the tram system. The municipality has so far incurred debts of over €1.6 million relating to the tram system and the debts continue to rise.
The second phase of the tram system, a 1,200 metre extension of the service, was completed a couple of years ago but has never been brought into service due to the financial situation in the municipality and various wranglings with the Junta de Andalucia and the operators of the tram service, Travelsa.
The Mayor plans to restructure the municipal transport system so that buses can cover the withdrawal from service of the tram.