The Junta de Andalucia has described the proposed renting of the Vélez-Málaga trams to city in New South Wales in Australia as a ‘step backwards’, although it still refuses to provide any kind of funding as it considers the responsibility for this public transport service rests with the municipality.
Last week, Vélez-Málaga Council approved a motion authorising the concessionaire Travelsa to remove the three trams currently stationed in the city.
The ill-conceived tram system cost €36 million in infrastructure, €8 million for the three trams and has been a drain on the non-existent municipal coffers since day one, passenger numbers declining year upon year. Finally, with the Junta de Andalucia refusing to consider financial assistance, the Council took the decision to suspend the service.
The Junta de Andalucia continues to offer to carry out a mobility study to try and improve the viability of the tram system but refuses to put its hands in its pockets.