The Municipal Transport Company of Palma has hired 19 new drivers, 16 men and three women, who are already operating on the city's lines. This reinforcement aims to meet personnel needs ahead of the fleet's electrification.
The Municipal Transport Company of Palma (EMT) has deployed 19 new drivers across the capital's streets. Sixteen men and three women who passed two selection processes and completed their training last week are now part of the staff. According to the company, the goal is twofold: to strengthen operational capacity and to prepare for the upcoming fleet of electric buses.
Two selection processes to fill 150 positions
These 19 workers are just the tip of the iceberg in an ambitious staff expansion. The EMT is conducting a competitive examination to fill up to 150 driver positions, included in the public employment offer and in the approved replacement rates. Of these, 80 will be permanent full-time positions, while the other 70 will be permanent part-time positions, also full-time, with a minimum of nine months of activity between February and November.
“This process aims to consolidate the structural staff and ensure the availability of personnel necessary to meet the current service needs,” explain sources from the municipal company. The new drivers have already been distributed across the different lines of Palma's public transport network, which should be reflected in the frequency of service and schedule coverage.
A pool of 100 additional positions for peak demand
But it doesn't stop there. The EMT has opened a second process to create a job pool consisting of 100 positions for part-time permanent staff at 60% of full-time. This pool will be activated based on organizational and service needs, especially during peak demand periods, such as summer or the Christmas holidays. Thus, the company ensures it has a buffer of drivers for when the city fills with tourists and residents using the bus.
With these new hires, the EMT not only covers retirements and absences but also prepares for the electrification of the fleet. The arrival of new electric buses requires more personnel to put them into circulation and maintain service quality. “We want to improve the quality of public transport in Palma,” say company representatives, who see these drivers as a key piece to ensure that the new vehicles do not remain in the garage due to a lack of drivers.
For Palma residents, this translates into hope for less waiting and more buses, especially during peak hours and on the busiest routes. Although 19 drivers may not seem like many for a city of over 400,000 inhabitants, the medium-term commitment is clear: the EMT wants a larger and more stable workforce to tackle future mobility.
Those interested in applying for any of the positions in the pool can check the requirements on the EMT website or in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands. The application period is still open, so if you have a bus license and would like to drive in Palma, this could be your opportunity.
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