Residents and students face transport gap
The Consell Comarcal de la Terra Alta is urging the Catalan government to establish a direct bus service between Gandesa, the comarca's capital, and Lleida. The move aims to ease travel for local students attending the University of Lleida or vocational training programmes, as well as improve general mobility for residents. Joan Aubanell, president of the council, highlighted the current lack of direct public transport, recalling his own experience as a student when he had to rely on a car for flexibility. He noted that the road distance to Lleida, around one hour, is comparable to that of Tarragona, which already has better transport links.
Link could connect to high-speed rail
A direct bus route would also allow easier access to Lleida’s high-speed rail station, located adjacent to its bus terminal. From there, passengers could connect to AVE trains serving Barcelona, Madrid, and Zaragoza. Currently, residents must travel to Camp de Tarragona station to reach high-speed rail services, a detour Aubanell attributed to the decision not to build a high-speed stop in the Terra Alta area. He added that nearby regions such as Ribera d’Ebre could also benefit, enhancing cross-comarcal mobility between the Terres de l’Ebre and Ponent.
Request under review, not yet funded
This demand has long been a priority for the comarca, with Lleida seen as a key regional hub. The council has formally submitted the proposal to the Generalitat’s Directorate General for Transport and Mobility. However, the administration has confirmed that the bus line is not included in the current budget. While officials will assess the proposal’s viability, Aubanell acknowledged it is unlikely to materialise in the medium term, as other routes are being prioritised. Despite this, he pledged continued advocacy: “We will keep pushing, as this is a clear need for our community.”
Primary sources: apl03, aplicacions.economia.gencat.cat. Reported by lamanyana.cat.
