Which will get you to the club quicker in August - a bus, private car or taxi?
In part two of our series on Ibiza's transport issues we cast ourselves into the hell that is club gridlock. Dan Gines, Buckley and Dr Mick report.
Point A is busy sunset-oriented Mambo in San Antonio's Caló des Moro. Point B is Space in Playa d'en Bossa on the other side of the island. It's 9.30pm on a Tuesday and champion techno dj Carl Cox is playing an early set at his eponymous night. Sounds like fun, but how to get there?
Three modes of transport, three guys. Buckley, whose crested profile appears often in our forums, took a taxi. Our immoderate moderator Dr Mick drove a pre-loved Citroen. Dan Gines, the Spotlight club editorial team's most junior member, drew the short straw - Ibiza's disco bus. Or four of them in the end.
a disco bus - August 2006
Below you can read about his fight across the 585 square kilometre (225 square mile) island of Ibiza. Stella Matutes, the woman in charge of the current program of extensive road works, says 30,000 vehicles roll every day in high season. Statistics regarding the purpose of travel are not available but it is likely most of the cars, taxis and buses on the roads at peak clubbing times are making club-related journeys.
Ibiza Town to San An road - August 2006
They are all attempting to negotiate possibly the island's most ambitious works project since the Italian architect Calvi erected the famous walls of D'Alt Vila in the 16th century. Fleets of monster trucks have dug valleys and pushed up hills. Parts of Ibiza don't look like Ibiza any more. Drivers taking the tunnel that bypasses Can Misses just north of Ibiza Town feel as if they could be in any metropolitan centre - you can see no landmark or distinctive feature that places you in Spain let alone on the famously picturesque White Isle. The experience is disorienting.
DR MICK - Private car
Start time: 2130
Arrival time: 2225
Ranking: 2nd
It's also fast. That subterranean section of the ravamped highway has obliterated the narrow two lane Ibiza Town bypass that existed previously. Now, after first negotiating an gravelled roundabout, the tarmac stretches out wide in front of me like a multi-laned swimming pool. Following the arrows to San Josep I sweep through the four lane tunnel mentioned earlier till I experience a delay at the next roundabout, which now neighbours a deep and dusty hole where a road to Playa d'en Bossa ran. That exit denied I continue on my way to San Josep then hang a left at the next Playa d'en Bossa turn off and park outside Space at approximately 10.25pm.
The journey from San Rafael service station in the middle of the island took approximately 15 minutes. Filling up took five minutes. The slowest part of the journey was definitely the first - it took 15 minutes to traverse the 500m to actually leave San An, and then another 20 to trundle up to San Raf.
Ibiza Town to San An road - August 2006
Many sections of the road were closed. Some of the diversions could be made more clear for night drivers. The whole effect is unattractive but the stated aim of improving traffic flow by bypassing villages, installing large roundabouts and removing traffic lights looks likely to be achieved.
Every Sunday in Ibiza Town's Vara de Rey anti-motorway groups display photos taken earlier this years of helmet-clad riot police dragging away protestors.
BUCKLEY - Taxi
Start time: 2130Arrival time: 2219
Ranking: 1st
The instant the lengthy taxi queue in downtown San An was within sight my legendary impatience kicked into overdrive. So, at exactly 9.30pm, the planned journey start time, I'm striding down past the club Extasis towards the first roundabout outside of San An. The sneaky trick gets me into a cab at 9.45pm, although three cabs with their green light pass me before the fourth stops - I’m thinking my sparkly KISS t-shirt scared them off!
My taxi driver Jose is far from sanguine about the roadworks. Eschewing the advertised route diverting traffic away from the San An to Ibiza Town road, we crawl through the little village of San Rafael. He tells me the traffic has become worse since the road works began. Asked if he believes the situation will be better when the works are finished, he suggests that eventuality is by no means certain. Furthermore, he believes that better traffic flow was not the motivation for the works and that the works are being carried out for the financial benefit of the companies involved.
We (my good buddy Jose and I) arrive at Bora Bora for pre-Space drinks at 10.19pm, just under 34 minutes after we set off and 49 minutes after the go flag. The meter reads €25.41, so €6.35 per head for four sharing shouldn't blow the bank for holidaying clubbers. Remember also that for certain promotions at Space, We Love Sundays included, four payers can get their cab fare refunded on production of the receipt at the door.
I wimp out of Carl Cox’s fiesta at just 1.08am. The journey by cab, caught immediately outside Space, takes just 23 minutes. The driver, Jose number two for the night, doesn’t want to talk about the road works. Or anything in fact. He takes the €28 fare in stony silence. Is it the t-shirt again?
DAN GINES - Bus
Start time: 2130
Arrival time: 2300
Ranking: 3rd
I feel enthusiastic as I catch the No. 3 bus from San Antonio to Ibiza Town, leaving from the main bus stop by the Town Hall. We depart at 10:15pm and the journey is pleasant enough. The bus carries a cosmopolitan mix of Brits and atypically sedate Spaniards and Italians.
Dan Gines & a No. 3 - August 2006
About 25 minutes later, and with no delays, I arrive at Ibiza Town where the fun begins, as we discover the No. 14 bus is ready at the bus stop behind us. War begins as everyone pushes and shoves their way to the front of the queue. Fortunately I make it in and even get a seat - maybe after all the barging they felt sorry for me.
Despite a packed bus, the short trip to Playa D'en Bossa was fine. Again, no delays and I arrive within 20 mins. I'll spare you details of the night itself, unless you want to hear about my feeble attempts to dance to techno-techno-techno!
The second leg of my task was the dreaded journey back home. Feeling worn out and very tired, I make my way to the bus stop dreading to see the masses waiting for the bus. But, lo and behold, only three other people are waiting with us - fantastic! A short 20 minute wait for the bus to arrive to Ibiza Town and I then enjoy a lovely 20 minute ride to Ibiza Town. So far so good.
Of course, it was never going to be this easy or enjoyable, and at Ibiza Town I discover why. Hordes of people waiting to get back to San An and waiting for the same bus as me. After even more pushing and shoving, I very fortunately make it onto the bus – as I am literally the last person to get on before the doors close, leaving me to wave farewell to the Italian elbowing my back for the previous five minutes.
At least on the disco bus, we have some music to keep everyone happy. This week, our bus driver is a fan of Spanish folk music, which doesn't really hit the spot after a night of banging techno!
30 minutes later and we all arrive at San An. At €6.80 return it is the cheapest option if you're travelling by yourself, and the journey itself it not a chore. However, be aware of the masses of people, particularly at Ibiza Town wanting to get on the same bus as you. I was lucky to get on the first bus each trip, but if you miss one it means going through the battling process again – this is certainly not a trip for the faint-hearted!
