Villajoyosa's Train Station Revival: A Critical Upgrade or a Costly Mistake?!

Villajoyosa is making a major push to upgrade its TRAM system, a move that could significantly improve public transportation for residents and tourists alike. The town hall is set to introduce a bipartisan motion this November urging Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), the regional rail operator, to invest heavily in the TRAM d’Alacant service within the municipality.

Villajoyosa's Train Station Revival: A Critical Up...

By Santiago Carneri • Published: Nov 24, 2025 • 2:00 PM • 2-minute read

The motion, which I got a sneak peek at earlier this week, targets three key areas. First, they're looking to bolster customer service at the often-packed La Creueta stop. Second, they want to rename a couple of stations to clear up some passenger confusion. And finally, and perhaps most excitingly, they want to restore Villajoyosa’s historic 1911 train station through a comprehensive Master Plan.

“Line 1 of the TRAM has seen a significant rise in passengers in recent years, while on-site customer service has been reduced and is currently provided from a temporary prefabricated cabin,” explained Jaime Santamaría, the council’s Mobility Councillor. He wasn't shy about expressing the need for improvements. “We will ask FGV to upgrade the facilities to meet real demand – a request fully supported by all political groups on the town council.”

La Creueta, a regional hub, is currently operating with what many consider a skeleton crew and limited hours. The motion proposes a fixed morning and afternoon schedule from Monday to Friday, weekend coverage during peak season, and staffing levels that actually align with the passenger volume. They envision replacing the existing cabin with a dedicated "La Creueta Customer Point," offering everything from information and ticket management to lost property services and official receipts. Think proper ticket machines, video-assisted customer support for after-hours, and round-the-clock intercom access.

But it doesn't stop there. The stop is also slated as a pilot project for accessibility enhancements. Imagine adapted routes, accessible furniture, easy-to-read signage, pictograms, and even Navilens technology – all designed to cater to elderly passengers and those with hearing impairments. It's a holistic approach, and frankly, it's about time.

The station renaming is a smaller but still important detail. The current ‘La Creueta’ would become the bilingual ‘Villajoyosa Central Station,’ which makes a lot of sense. The confusingly named ‘La Vila Joiosa/Villajoyosa’ would adopt the historical name ‘El Calvari’ or something similar. Plus, they want to improve the boarding and disembarking areas of the old station. A nice touch.

Then there's the jewel in the crown: the restoration of the 1911 train station. The council proposes a collaborative project with FGV and property owners to repurpose it as a public facility. We're talking potentially a railway and city interpretation center, a charming period-style café or restaurant, displays of historic railway equipment, or even student/group accommodation in the former station master’s house! They’re promising sustainability, accessibility, and energy efficiency throughout, and are even looking at European funding opportunities. It's ambitious, but could be a real game changer for the town.

Councillor Santamaría wrapped it up by saying, “We have a historic station we want to bring back to life, and we will take all the necessary steps to do so." And if the bipartisan support holds, they might just pull it off.