SPAIN: Following FEVE President Angel Villalba's commitment to Parliament last October to convert the metre-gauge line between Cartagena and Los Nietos to a tram route, FEVE issued a €16m tender on December 30 for four vehicles to operate the service.
Whilst awaiting their delivery, which will take 18 months, FEVE intends to electrify the line and remodel the stations and stops to suit trams. The total estimated cost for the project is €20m.
The first step, however, will be to prepare a mobility plan and feasibility study, as agreed by FEVE, the region of Murcia and the municipality of Cartagena last November. The plan will determine whether to proceed with FEVE's proposal to build a 55 km network which would involve extending the tram service to Cartagena city centre, and north for 25 km along the side of the Mar Menor from La Unión to San Pedro del Pinatar and the airport.
