What will happen to Murcia's central bus station site when the terminal moves?

New homes, gardens, amenities and improvements to surrounding streets are among the ideas being considered

Murcia's bus station could be given a completely new purpose once the terminal moves, with homes, gardens and community spaces among the ideas being considered for the site. The Ayuntamiento has launched Espacio Estación, a project looking at the future of more than 15,000 square metres of public land that will be freed up when the bus station moves to the intermodal transport hub around El Carmen.

There's plenty of potential, but the relocation also comes with a downside. The existing station is around a two-minute walk from Murcia Cathedral and the historic centre. The new terminal will be considerably further away, meaning many people arriving by bus will have a longer journey into the heart of Murcia city.

But the relocation will also free up more than 15,000 square metres of centrally located land that could be put to good use. Plans are also being prepared for the surrounding areas of San Andrés, San Antolín and San Antón, with improvements to streets and public spaces, better connections with the historic centre, the Malecón and the huerta, and easier movement between the three neighbourhoods all being considered.

The future use of the station land has not been decided. Possible options include new green and tree-lined areas, sports facilities, homes and spaces for community activities.

Residents will have a chance to help shape what happens. The Ayuntamiento will hold meetings in the three neighbourhoods, walks with municipal technicians to identify problems and opportunities, and meetings with local traders and social and cultural groups. There will also be workshops with schoolchildren and an open survey.

Mayor Rebeca Pérez said the idea was to involve residents before decisions are made.

"We don't want to present residents with a finished project and then ask them what they think. We want them to participate before decisions are made and for their proposals, together with the work of experts, to form part of the preliminary project for Espacio Estación," she said.

The Mercado de San Andrés will also be included in the plans. The Ayuntamiento wants to modernise the market and strengthen its role as a place for residents to meet, while supporting shops and businesses in the area.

A technical committee made up of representatives from professional bodies, universities in Murcia and municipal technicians will help assess the different possibilities.

The public participation process will run from October 2026 until January 2027, with the preliminary project due to be completed by March 2027.

So while the move will take the city's main bus station further from the centre, it could also leave a sizeable piece of centrally located land available for a very different future. What that future looks like will now be partly up to the people who live and work nearby.

See also: Residency Holders Can Save €250 With New Region Of Murcia Travel Voucher

Images: Murcia City Hall