The Works Council of La Alcoyana Demands Generalitat to Reclaim the Interurban Transport Concession

After the strike day on May 29, the Works Council of La Alcoyana announced it would initiate an administrative complaint procedure with the Ministry of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory to request the reclamation of the interurban transport concession.

According to the Works Council, the strike was supported 100% by the workforce, which they describe as a "resounding success." Union representatives denounced an "unsustainable" situation for both workers and service users. The strike left much of the Alicante metropolitan area without transport, including strategic points such as Sant Joan Hospital, the University of Alicante, and the Airport.

One of the most serious issues highlighted by the Committee was the immobilisation of 21 buses by technicians due to "serious active and passive safety deficiencies." The vehicles did not hit the streets until after 9:00 am, when the company signed a document assuming all legal, technical, and criminal responsibility to put them into circulation. "A recklessness bordering on criminal negligence," the workers' representatives denounce.

According to the Committee, more than 70% of La Alcoyana's fleet is between 12 and 18 years old, and preventive and corrective maintenance is insufficient, breaching the emergency contract CE-705. "This was not an exception; it is the daily norm," they state, pointing out that drivers work without technical or safety guarantees.

In light of this situation, the unions have urgently called for the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Transport, the reclamation of the concession to La Alcoyana, and the acceleration of the tender process for the new interurban transport contract.

Additionally, the Committee has harshly criticised the Popular Party for blocking the creation of the Metropolitan Transport Entity (EMT) in the recent Alicante Plenary. A proposal they claim is supported by unions and citizens and is considered key to improving service coordination and quality.

The workers have also condemned the statements of Vox councillor Mario Castillo, who referred to the metropolitan entity as a "chiringuito" and a "waste" during the municipal plenary, remarks the Committee describes as "unworthy and offensive."

"The current model is exhausted. La Alcoyana has failed as a concessionaire. It is time to reclaim the service, return it to the public interest, and end the technical and labour exploitation that workers and users suffer daily," concludes the Works Council's statement.