Friday was a dark day for public transport in Calasparra as the last
train for Madrid left the station.
Despite all the assurances from regional and national politicians that
Calasparra station would be saved when the diversion along the Camarallas
opened, the final train to Madrid has left.
Residents and visitors gathered to witness this historic moment and the driver
blew the train´s whistle as a final farewell as he passed through the station.
The last train to Cartagena, passed through Calasparra in the early afternoon:
two thirds full of passengers.
Residents wishing to travel to Madrid must now catch the train in Murcia or
Cieza.
The service through Camarillas will be interrupted for 19 days while final work
is carried out and buses will replace this part of the service.
The diversion through Camarillas, which goes around Calasparra, cuts 16 kilometers
off the journey from Murcia to Madrid and is expected to make the service
faster.
The closure of the station is a major blow for the Mayor of Calasparra, Jose
Velez, who has fought hard to save Calasparra station and had received
assurances from regional and national politicians that the station would be
saved.
