Just not fare – bus passengers losing out on the Costa Blanca

THE scrapping of tolls on the AP-7 between Alicante and Tarragona is a reality and benefits general motorists, but public transport passengers are still feeling the pinch.
Ticket prices for the intercity bus service that connects the Marina Alta with Valencia and Alicante, managed by the Alsa company, remains the same, despite the firm not having to pay to use the road.
The regular price from Denia to Valencia is still €11.50 euros – excluding any of the occasional discounts – and to Alicante, €11.80 euros. From Javea its €12.45 and €10.55 respectively.
The company increased these prices in the middle of last year by 1.5 per cent. But now, the savings on the AP-7 is not reflected, claims a report by the Court of Defence of Competition.
It states that the elimination of tolls has ‘simply brought a benefit for the company but not for the passenger’.
According to Spanish press reports, Alsa responded by saying it has ‘struggled’ but endeavoured to provide at least the main towns in the region with more direct services to the big cities.