The head of communications for the Spain-Portugal division of Groupe PSA, José Antonio León, along with his counterpart at Citroën Spain, Concha Caja, unveiled the new Electric Mehari on the Sant Francesc town square today. On hand for the ceremony were CiF president Jaume Ferrer, tourism councillor Alejandra Ferrer, transport councillor Rafael González and the chair of Formentera's tourism board, Carlos Bernús.
The automakers handed over five of the vehicles to the Council, which will put them to use for notification and inspection, tourism marketing and environmental services. The CiF president thanked the carmakers and vowed the measure would "contribute to a more sustainable Formentera.” He hailed it as a promising moment “for our island's model of growth and the protection of our natural resources, our landscapes and culture” and said the move meant “an improvement in Formentera residents' quality of life”.
León, for his part, highlighted a shared history between the Mehari and Formentera he said went back to the end of the 1960s. The PSA group head invoked the rollicking local response when the original Mehari arrived on the island and the iconic status it quickly gained. To him, the bonds between our island and the Mehari –“an alliance in favour of sustainable transport”– become even stronger with today's initiative.
Councillor Ferrer underscored that the dimensions of Formentera make it an ideal island for travel by electric car. She recalled Formentera's pioneering decision in the Balearics to install electric vehicle recharge points. There are now 32 public recharge spots and additional spots maintained by private establishments.
As Councillor Ferrer pointed out, the Council encourages the use of electric vehicles by providing free blue-zone parking and considerable rebates on the road tax as well as free entry to Ses Salines park and free vehicle recharges.
Jaume Ferrer, president of the Formentera Council (CiF), signed this morning deals with four of the island's pensioners' clubs. Under the deals, the Council will provide 24,000 euros in financial support to Formentera's pensioners and elderly residents. The 12-month pacts are aimed at funding the seniors' clubs' day-to-day maintenance, service costs and new programmes on the island in 2016.
CiF president Jaume Ferrer met earlier today with Trasmapi chair Rafael Cardona to sign off on two bilateral deals between the Council and the transport company. One of the agreements sets out yearly aid for Formentera's Office of Social Welfare. The four thousand euros in assistance will subsidise Formentera-Eivissa travel costs both for at-risk and underprivileged users of the local office and workers within the department.
Jaume Ferrer, president of the Formentera Council, and Maria Costa, chair of NGO Formenterers Solidaris, met today to put their signatures on a deal handing the group Council money to carry out aid projects in developing countries. The deal additionally sets out a plan to raise awareness among Formentera residents in 2016.