ARCHIVED - New shuttle bus service at iconic Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante 

The minibus to and from Alicante's El Castillo de Santa Bárbara will run every 20 minutes, and more frequently during busier months

Alicante City Council plans to reinstate a hugely popular shuttle bus service to El Castillo de Santa Bárbara a year-and-a-half after it was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The service is expected to start at the beginning of Christmas week, with a provisional date of Monday December 20.

The lack of lifts and shuttle bus service meant that anybody without their own transport had to climb approximately two kilometres to enjoy the stunning panoramic views from the top of the castle.

The new shuttle line will have two single stops in the Plaza del Doctor Gómez Ulla, opposite the entrance to the Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ), and at the castle itself. 

The winter timetable, October 1 to March 31, will operate from 10am to 8pm, and during the summer months, from April 1 to September 30, 10am to 10pm.

As for the frequency, there will be a minibus to and from the fortress every 20 minutes, and the service will be reinforced in exceptional cases. For example, when cruise ships dock in the city, the service will pass through the two stops every seven minutes.

In the case of corporate events, such as congresses or meetings with large numbers of people, the council plans to put on up to five buses, offering a service every four minutes.

And depending on demand, the council has agreed that "with the express authorisation of the local authority", larger vehicles could be laid on to deal with very large groups.

Santa Barbara Castle is one of Alicante's biggest tourist attractions, and during the summer months, the city council came under fire for "poor management".

The elderly, people with restricted mobility and anybody without their own car, in particular cruise tourists who stopped off in the city for the day, were unable to access the impressive fortress due to the lack of working lifts and transport.

Image: Alicante Turismo