Unique Backing
Last week, a debate in the Alicante Provincial Council focused on extending the TRAM night service through weekends and year-round holidays, beyond the current July-August window and Las Hogueras. During this Monday’s session in the regional Cortes, the PSPV-PSOE tabled a motion with the same proposal that had been presented to the provincial body the previous Wednesday. Only Compromís offered support. The two government partners, the PP and Vox, demonstrated their majority by voting down the measure in the committee. They also argued that the PSPV had pressed for urgency despite eight years of Botànic governance without implementing the plan.
Socialist representative Michel Montaner led the initiative, arguing that extending TRAM night service to weekends throughout the year would bolster the hospitality sector, ease nighttime traffic, and reduce road accidents. He also claimed the measure would help address parking shortages in large population centers. Montaner highlighted perceived budget cuts, noting a €124 million reduction for Alicante in the current regional budget.
Unique Support
In Compromís, Carles Esteve spoke in favor of the proposal. He criticized the regional government for not taking action and reminded listeners that 260,000 Valencians work at night and would benefit from such an initiative. He also suggested the phrase, a touch ironic, that the early-to-rise Spain does not typically work at night or during the day. Esteve argued the measure would support sustainability and accused both the PP and Vox of using Valencian institutions to oppose the government led by Pedro Sánchez.
The PNL faced opposition from both the PP and Vox. José Forés, the PP spokesperson, challenged the PSPV for proposing a change that had not been implemented in eight Botànic years and described the move as opportunistic politics. He contended that July, August, and Las Hogueras demand far more than the rest of the year and that any modification should be grounded in real needs. Forés noted ongoing infrastructure investments and recalled Alicante province’s ranking as the 52nd out of 52 in annual investments for a third consecutive year.
From Vox, Miguel Pascual of the Elche region added that the Botànic era created a new dynamic in which governing roles have shifted and that calling for a change is free, while stressing that the PNL centers on leisure rather than work matters. He defended the ministry’s objective assessment of public transport demand, which tends to rise in the summer months when TRAM night services are more frequent on weekends.
Pressure to add a second runway at Alicante-Elche Airport
Just as the PP and Vox rejected the socialist motion to extend the TRAM night service, the two forces within the regional government pressed for an expansion of Alicante-Elche airport with a second runway. A proposal from conservative circles won support from PP and received opposition from the PSPV and Compromís. Proponents argued the increase in passenger numbers justified the expansion, while opponents cited a recent public statement by the minister Óscar Puente in Alicante’s Forum as evidence that a second runway is not planned in the near term. The left-wing parties called for better rail connections instead.