CARTAGENA (MURCIA), 3 (EUROPA PRESS)
Buses that travel through La Manga del Mar Menor will increase frequencies and change their routes to cover the entire length of this tourist enclave during the summer, thanks to an agreement between the Ministry of Development and the City Councils of Cartagena and San Javier.
This was announced by the mayors Noelia Arroyo and José Miguel Luengo, from Cartagena and San Javier, during the General Council meeting of the Administrative Consortium La Manga held this morning, as reported by municipal sources in a press release.
These new services will start operating in mid-June and will continue until September. The frequency improvement will be applied daily and with special intensity during weekends.
Line 43 will move its terminus from Pedruchillo to Aldeas de Taray, and Line 44 will move from Aldeas de Taray to Veneziola II.
This is the second service improvement this year after a agreement signed in January between the La Manga Consortium and the TUCARSA transport company allowed the implementation of subsidies funded by both city councils.
This agreement covers lines 23 (Los Urrutias – La Manga), 43 (Cartagena – Pedruchillo), 44 (Cabo de Palos – Veneziola), and 46 (San Pedro del Pinatar – Cabo de Palos) .
The subsidies include free trips for vulnerable individuals, such as people with disabilities and families at risk, and reduced rates, between 0.30 and 0.80 euros per trip, for groups like large families, retirees, youth, and the unemployed. 275 transport cards have already been issued for residents who qualify for these discounts.
POSITIVE RESULTS IN THE ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF THE CONSORTIUM
La Manga Consortium approved the General Account and Management Report for the year 2024, during the same session held this week. The Consortium presented a positive economic result, with a surplus of 2,067.73 euros and a treasury surplus available for general expenses of 35,078.35 euros, higher than the previous year.
During 2024, the initial budget amounted to 350,600 euros, with adjustments reaching 352,502.03 euros. Revenues mainly came from transfers from the City Councils of Cartagena and San Javier (348,600 euros), in addition to bank interest reaching 1,902.03 euros.
The Consortium spent 350,434.30 euros, with notable investments in cultural and sports events, reaching 101,166.02 euros (56.85% of the total). Other significant expenses were promotion, printing, and security (45,202.91 euros), and office maintenance (19,985.64 euros).
Among the highlighted activities are popular races, literary contests, and fashion shows, with strategic collaborations with entities such as the French Alliance and the UCAM.
It also strengthened citizen service at its offices, with personnel from the City Councils of Cartagena and San Javier, the Local Development and Employment Agency (ADLE), and social services.
Additionally, the annual rotation of positions was ratified, appointing the mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo Gallego, as president for the next term, and the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia María Arroyo Hernández, as vice president.
Finally, the Consortium highlighted the «effective achievement of its annual objectives, reinforcing its cooperation with local associations and consolidating its key role in the tourist promotion and economic and social development of La Manga del Mar Menor».
