Madrid asked to pay for Palma's tram

PALMA
THE Balearics government wants Madrid to pay for Palma's new tram link to the airport.
Regional Transport Minister Gabriel Vicens yesterday called on central government to pay for the complete project which is going to cost between 350 and 380 million euros.

Vicens claims that agreeing to bank roll the construction of the tram would be a clear sign from the prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, that Madrid is committed to helping the Balearics.

Vicens said that the government hopes to have the basic project for the tram link between Palma and Can Picafort with a link branching off the airport, completed by the end of the year, but he added that until the financing has been secured, the project's further development will be difficult.

Palma Council wants the tram to be up and running by 2011.