New marine public transport services across the Mar Menor were inaugurated by Murcia regional government in San Pedro del Pinatar on Monday.
There are two boats, one of which offers a ferry service between Lo Pagán and La Manga, and the other takes passengers on excursions around the Mar Menor from the same port in San Pedro, explained regional councillor for public works José Manuel Pancorbo.
For now, they both operate from a provisional jetty at La Puntica in Lo Pagán, alongside the Félix Martínez nautical activities centre, where a definitive jetty will be set up ‘in the coming months’, he said.
From there, the ferry goes to the Puerto Menor (better known as Tomás Maestre) in La Manga.
Sr Pancorbo noted that they had made an effort to get the provisional jetty operational for the summer, but emphasised that the services will be available all year round, to boost the ports’ activities out of season as well.
The concessionary managing Lo Pagán port, Club Náutico has extended its contract until 2036, in return for which it has to invest in improving productivity, energy efficiency and environmental quality.
In the coming months it will invest €76,000 to establish an area for passengers to change between the ferry and buses, and then €250,000 in a floating dock measuring 50 metres in length and 3m wide.
The excursions around the Mar Menor, which enable participants to swim in its waters, discover its islands or enjoy a sunset, are provided on a classic wooden boat with capacity for 120 passengers by the company Cruceros Mar Menor (www.crucerosmarmenor.com).
The Lo Pagán-La Manga ferry holds 12 people and is provided by Chapi Taxi Mar Menor (www.chapitaxi.com), which also offers tours to different parts of the Mar Menor, including Veneziola beach at the end of the strip.
