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New upgraded buses to improve access to Murcia hospitals from the end of the year
A major region-wide modernisation project aims to boost bus routes, frequencies and accessibility
The Region of Murcia is set to see a significant improvement in its intercity bus transport by the end of 2025. The regional government is finalising the tender process for ten new bus concessions, which will replace the current 31 concessions. This will lead to more routes, higher frequencies and greater accessibility, with particular benefits for university students and those travelling to hospitals.
The Ministry of Development and Infrastructures plans to launch tenders in the coming weeks. The goal is to have the new system operational before the year’s end. The project, delayed for more than five years due to the complex planning and approval process, will bring a long-awaited transformation to public transport across the region.
Key changes and improvements include the fact that all the major Murcian municipalities will have direct connections to their nearest hospitals and universities, and the frequency with which the buses run will be increased on the busiest lines, reducing waiting times and improving punctuality.
The bus routes will also be adapted to better meet user mobility needs, ensuring more efficient links between towns, the capital and other major cities, and timetables will be adjusted to better serve peak hours and weekends.
The concessions will cover all municipalities and are grouped as follows:
- RMU-1: Alcantarilla–Murcia (serving Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Molina de Segura, Murcia and Las Torres de Cotillas)
- RMU-2: Beniel–Murcia (Beniel, Fortuna, Murcia and Santomera)
- RMU-3: Molina de Segura–Murcia (Alguazas, Archena, Ceutí, Lorquí, Molina de Segura, Murcia, Las Torres de Cotillas and Villanueva de Segura)
- RMU-4: Mar Menor–Metropolitan Cartagena (Los Alcázares, Cartagena, Fuente Álamo, Murcia, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Torre Pacheco and La Unión)
- RMU-5: Altiplano–Murcia (Abanilla, Abarán, Blanca, Cieza, Fortuna, Jumilla, Molina de Segura, Murcia, Santomera and Yecla)
- RMU-6: Vega Alta del Segura and Ricote Valley (Abarán, Archena, Blanca, Cieza, Molina de Segura, Murcia, Ojós, Ricote, Ulea and Villanueva del Río Segura)
- RMU-7: Northwest and Río Mula (Albudeite, Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Bullas, Calasparra, Campos del Río, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegín, Cieza, Molina de Segura, Moratalla, Mula, Murcia and Pliego)
- RMU-8: Alto y Bajo Guadalentín (Águilas, Alcantarilla, Aledo, Alhama de Murcia, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cartagena, Fuente Álamo, Librilla, Lorca, Mazarrón, Murcia, Puerto Lumbreras and Totana
- RMU-9: Litoral (Los Alcázares, Cartagena, Murcia, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Torre Pacheco and La Unión)
- RMU-10: Cartagena, Fuente Álamo and Murcia
The launch of the new concessions will also see the introduction of modern, sustainable buses. These will be more accessible for people with reduced mobility, have greater passenger capacity and offer improved comfort. The regional government has already acquired 36 new buses and plans to add more before the new routes begin.
There will be priority for 44 electric buses, reducing air and noise pollution, and they will also have geolocation systems installed, allowing passengers to check bus locations and waiting times in real time. Ticket payment will also be available via mobile devices and the information displays at smart bus stops will be improved.
Pilot tests are expected to begin before the summer, and 49 charging points are being installed across municipalities including Molina de Segura, Alcantarilla, Cartagena and Santomera. The total investment in these improvements amounts to €4.7 million.
This large-scale overhaul is part of the region’s Transport Master Plan, which aims to strengthen public transport connections to key services and enhance the daily lives of thousands of residents.
Image: CARM
