Midnight Momentum: Marina Alta should have a late night TRAM service

The rhythm of the Marina Alta does not fade at 10pm. Yet the trains do. That mismatch is now at the centre of a coordinated political push along the northern stretch of the Costa Blanca, where councillors from six municipalities are joining forces to campaign for late night TRAM services for the first time.

The proposal, spearheaded by the PSPV-PSOE across towns on the Line 9 corridor, is set to land on council agendas in Dénia, Calp, Benissa, Teulada-Moraira, Gata de Gorgos and La Xara in the coming weeks.

At the heart of the motion is a proposal for a new weekend night service, nicknamed the “TRAMnochador,” to operate on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the year. Summer, however, is the main stage. July and August, along with high demand dates such as the night of August 14 to 15, are seen as prime opportunities for a service that mirrors the region’s lively evening economy.

Currently, trains on the TRAM Line 9 between Dénia and Benidorm pull into their final stops around 21:35 to 22:00. For many residents, expats and holidaymakers, that is just when dinner reservations are beginning and fiestas are hitting their stride. After that, options narrow to taxis or private cars, neither ideal after a long night out.

Supporters argue the Marina Alta ticks all the boxes that led to after-hours TRAM services being introduced last year between Alicante and Altea. High tourist numbers, packed summer calendars and a growing appetite among younger passengers for safe, reliable coastal connections form the backbone of their case.

The councils are calling on Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) and regional transport authorities to study and implement the plan. Backers say they hope the motion will win cross party backing in each municipality, presenting a united front rather than a partisan campaign. A show of consensus, they believe, could add weight to their request.

There is also a broader vision in play. Advocates suggest a night service along Line 9 could strengthen links not only within the Marina Alta but also with neighbouring areas such as the Marina Baixa and l’Alacantí, creating a more cohesive public transport network along the Costa Blanca.

For the thousands of foreign residents and seasonal visitors who call the area home, from year round locals in Dénia and Jávea to summer holidaymakers in Moraira and Calpe, the idea holds obvious appeal. A train home after a fiesta, concert or late dinner offers something simple but powerful: freedom without the steering wheel.

The coming weeks will see the proposal debated in town halls across the corridor. If the councils align, the Marina Alta’s nights may soon come with a set of rails attached.