Drivers in Calpe and Campello no longer need to travel to other cities to have their vehicles undergo the ITV inspection. A newly formed publicly traded company has taken charge of this service, bringing Sitval into the spotlight with streamlined mobile installations. The municipalities agreed last February when the concessionaires refused to transfer the necessary equipment to the Generalitat subsidiary during the rollback process, a move that shifted the approach to mobile testing rather than relying solely on fixed facilities.
Public statements from Sitval emphasize a clear plan: the aim is to repurchase these service points when the company has the requisite material to prevent overloading of fixed stations, a problem that has persisted in recent months. The intention is to balance demand and capacity, ensuring smoother operations for vehicle owners who need to complete ITV checks without the extra travel burden.
According to Sitval manager Joseph Albert Quilis, the Calpe mobile station opened its doors last week. The unit, stationed at the municipal vehicle depot, is already serving an average of 25 vehicles daily. This mobile unit eliminates the need to travel to Benidorm to fulfill the ITV obligation, marking a significant shift toward local, on-site service for residents.
The facilities in El Campello are readily visible to residents and visitors alike, reflecting the area’s ongoing commitment to accessible vehicle inspections. This development is part of a broader strategy to decentralize ITV testing and reduce the burden on central fixed stations.
Meanwhile, the Campello station went into operation again on Thursday, continuing at the same location on Avenida del Pla de Messell. The reactivation maintains continuity for motorists who were accustomed to this site, while expanding the network of mobile services to improve response times and convenience.
Looking ahead, the third mobile unit, which had been forced to halt during the service denial to the Generalitat, known affectionately as the Father Christmas unit, is expected to resume operations at the same site it occupied previously. Quilis notes that interested residents can book appointments now through the company’s website, signaling a smooth transition back to routine service and the opportunity for more residents to access timely ITV checks.
The impasse over the sale of facilities and equipment led to the closure of these three mobile stations at the end of March, when Sitval took over ITV operations. The ITV service has a long history, dating back to 1997 under the oversight of Eduardo Zaplana, and it has undergone several reorganizations to adapt to changing needs and technologies. The current rollout reflects an effort to modernize the framework and ensure more reliable access for drivers.
ITV reversals progress without a reopening date for Calpe, Santa Pola, and El Campello
The temporary shutdown of these mobile points created a bottleneck as fixed stations carried a heavier workload. The backlog contributed to longer waiting times for inspections, sparking complaints from users across Alicante, Elche, and Benidorm. The situation underscored the necessity of expanding mobile capacity to restore reasonable wait times and service reliability for the community.
With renewed management and a clear plan to restore and expand mobile coverage, Sitval representatives express confidence that these mobile stations will resume full operation. The goal is to normalize service levels, shorten waits, and bring inspections closer to where people live and work.
Across the province, ITV operations span Alicante, Elche, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Redován, Villena, Ondara, Alcoy, Pilar de la Horadada, Elda, and Novelda, complemented by additional mobile units. This network aims to provide flexible, accessible testing options for vehicle owners, reducing travel time while preserving stringent safety and compliance standards.