Solution for bus station saga

An agreement has finally been negotiated over Benidorm’s dilapidated bus station.

By Irena Bodnarec

AN AGREEMENT has finally been negotiated over Benidorm’s dilapidated bus station.

Travellers arriving in the town are generally shocked to see a virtually abandoned complex with the majority of units boarded up – only a Mercadona supermarket, fitturned ness gym and the Hotel La Estación appear to have any life plus a cafeteria which is on the bus level.

The problems go back to 2003 when Benidorm town hall gave the controversial owner, businessman Enrique Ortiz the operating licence for the complex.

A court ruling then oversated permission granted to extend the construction, and the matter has been back and forth to the courts, with the complex falling into disrepair.

The last three Benidorm governments have unsuccessfully tried to reach an agreement, but at long last one has now been negotiated.

Sr Ortiz will be compenThe with € 24.5 million in exchange for handing back the concession, on the understanding that it will be in ‘ perfect condition’.

The town hall issued a statement that the compensation will not come out of the annual budget but from the new company that will ultimately win the bid to run it.

council is allowing Sr Ortiz up to six months to carry out the improvements required. Business leaders have commented that the bus station ‘ is not the best first impression’ of Benidorm for those arriving from other areas or AlicanteElche airport.