Torrevieja’s New Bus Station Delayed Until at Least 2028

Plans for a new municipal bus station in Torrevieja are not expected to materialise until at least 2028, leaving the city reliant on its outdated private terminal on Avenida de las Habaneras. The City Council aims to build the new transport hub on roughly 40,000 square metres of land at Enclave 13, situated between CV-905, Avenida Rosa Mazón and Calle Juan Valera.

However, due to the early stage of planning procedures, construction cannot commence during the current council term. The initiative was introduced in December 2024 when the council began drafting a specific amendment to Torrevieja’s General Urban Development Plan. This amendment is essential for determining land usage, required infrastructure, and vehicle access.

A traffic study must also be finalized before the project can advance. While most of the land is owned by the municipality, some sections are still privately held, adding complexity to the planning process. The council ultimately plans to award a private concession under which the successful company would finance and construct the station alongside commercial establishments.

The site would also house garages, workshops for the urban transport operator Avanza, a Civil Protection headquarters, parking facilities, and other amenities. Avanza is anticipated to move its current depot from Avenida Delfina Viudes, close to the Pueblo Bravo residential area. Nonetheless, the larger transport complex is still primarily a proposal on paper.

Until the planning amendment and related processes are completed, Torrevieja's aging terminal on Avenida de las Habaneras will continue to serve thousands of residents and visitors. This facility, constructed in the late 1980s, has been frequently criticized for its poor condition, limited capacity, and lack of passenger information.

During peak hours, passengers face crowded platforms and often require assistance from drivers due to insufficient signage. The main entrance is also hindered by tables and chairs from the station café, posing accessibility issues and raising questions about emergency evacuation procedures. Despite the presence of security, shops, a café, and a busy taxi rank, the terminal's overall appearance remains far below the standards expected of a premier tourist destination.

Nevertheless, the station remains a crucial transport hub, connecting Torrevieja with Alicante-Elche Airport, Alicante, Murcia, Cartagena, and various municipalities across the Vega Baja. Long-distance coaches also operate to Madrid, Castile, La Rioja, Navarre, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. Transferring the terminal to Enclave 13 would alleviate significant bus traffic from the congested town centre and position services near one of Torrevieja's primary road entrances.

The future of the existing 3,800-square-metre station site is also uncertain. The council intends to acquire the privately owned land, valued at over €4.5 million, demolish the terminal, and transform the area into a green space connected to the San Esteban neighbourhood. However, until the planning amendment, development work, and concession process are finalized, Torrevieja's obsolete 1980s terminal will remain the city's sole bus station.