Eight Slightly Injured in Hard Braking in Palma – New Debate over TIB and Driver Workload

Crash alert in Palma: Eight passengers injured after hard braking

On Monday afternoon at around 5:30 p.m., the usually busy Calle Andrea Dòria suddenly became a scene of flashing lights and sirens. A regional bus of the Transport de les Illes Balears (TIB) had to brake so hard that several people were thrown forward. Emergency crews treated eight people at the scene for bruises and abrasions; seven of them were taken to hospitals as a precaution — including the Clínica Juaneda, the Clínica Rotger and the Hospital Palmaplanas.

How it happened — and what's unclear

The driver still drove the vehicle to Palma's bus station and called the emergency services there. Three ambulances, a logistics vehicle and a medical command unit were deployed. It is currently being investigated whether the hard braking was caused by a technical defect, a sudden obstacle or driver error. Police are securing traces and technicians are examining the vehicle.

I was later at the stop and spoke to people: some passengers said they felt a jolt, others reported a hectic murmur of voices. Minor injuries — but for many that's enough to spoil the evening.

TIB between expansion and strain

The incident affects a system that is currently under heavy pressure. The TIB network connects almost every municipality with Palma and is organized by the government but operated by private companies. According to figures, the fleet currently includes around 201 natural gas buses and almost 18 electric buses; more vehicles are expected by 2026. In the first quarter of 2025, more than 6.3 million people used the lines — an increase that has made calls for better working conditions louder.

Drivers have been complaining for months about long shifts, too few breaks and increasing pressure from crowded lines. These tensions already led to walkouts and reduced services last summer. Union representatives speak of exhaustion and warn that safety suffers if working conditions are not improved.

What matters now

Investigations must now determine whether technical faults, driver errors or external circumstances triggered the braking maneuver. At the same time, the incident shows that safe mobility needs more than new buses: regular maintenance, reliable staffing and scheduled breaks are required. Otherwise the system remains vulnerable.

For those affected it was an unpleasant evening; for the city it is a reminder: when pressure rises, you can see it on the street. Whether authorities and operators will quickly draw consequences will become clear in the coming days.

Tags: Accident, Public transport, TIB, Palma, Working conditions