This summer, Asturias is rolling out its largest network of shuttle buses to provide public transport links to beaches, villages and natural areas

Getting around Asturias this summer without a car will be easier than ever. The Regional Government is launching the largest network of summer shuttle buses in its history, comprising 36 routes that will connect beaches, natural areas and some of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.

The service, managed by the Asturias Transport Consortium (CTA), will run from 1 July to 8 September and will serve 30 local councils, with the aim of offering a convenient, accessible and sustainable alternative for enjoying the region during the high season.
Furthermore, all shuttle services are included in the CONECTA fare, which allows users to travel on public transport throughout Asturias for a maximum of 30 euros a month.
 

One of the main new developments this summer is centred on eastern Asturias. The route between Llanes and Ribadesella is expanding its service to 22 daily departures, facilitating connections to Arriondas, Cangas de Onís, Covadonga, the Ponga Biosphere Reserve, Benia de Onís and Arenas de Cabrales.

This network will make it easier to reach both coastal towns and inland destinations that are very popular with visitors to Asturias.
Llanes will also retain the circular routes launched last summer, which connect the main coastal towns with inland villages. As a new feature, it will also serve as the starting point for a route to Arenas, facilitating access to popular attractions such as the Bosque Encantáu.

In Cangas de Onís, connections to Ribadesella, Covadonga and the Ponga Biosphere Reserve will continue. The route to Benia and Arenas will also be improved, whilst the service to Poncebos – the gateway to the Cares route – will include three additional daily services.
 

Services are also being expanded in central and western Asturias. The regular service between Avilés and Cudillero will add new departures from Monday to Friday, and the shuttle service between the football ground and the harbour in the fishing village will continue to operate.

From Avilés, it will also be possible to reach the beaches of Los Quebrantos, in L’Arena, and Aguilar, in Muros de Nalón, by public transport. Furthermore, the shuttle service between San Esteban and Aguilar will include a new stop at the swimming pool this year.

Services to the beaches from Villaviciosa, Colunga and Grado will also continue as usual.
 

Another new development is the introduction of a route between Grado and Pola de Somiedo, with a stop at Belmonte de Miranda, which will make it easier to reach the Somiedo Biosphere Reserve.

Within the park, the routes connecting Pola de Somiedo with Valle de Lago, La Farrapona, Villar de Vildas and El Puerto will continue to operate.

The shuttle services for the Redes, Fuentes del Narcea and Oscos-Eo Biosphere Reserves will also remain in operation, as will the connections around Cabo Peñas and the coastal route between Vegadeo and Tapia.
 

During the summer months, the Transport Consortium will also provide special services to make it easier for people to attend local festivals and events, as well as increasing the frequency of services on the busiest routes, both in the central area and in the outlying parts of Asturias. These additional services will also apply to night services, or ‘búhos’.

Furthermore, the 60 daily services linking Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés with Asturias Airport will continue to operate.
 

The expansion of the service is in response to the growing use of public transport during the summer. Last year, more than 236,000 people used the CTA’s summer shuttle buses, a figure to which must be added passengers on the special service providing access to the Lakes of Covadonga.

Furthermore, the CONECTA card, the single ticket for public transport in Asturias, now has over 457,000 users, establishing itself as a key tool for travelling around the Principality in a comfortable, economical and sustainable way.

Full details of the summer shuttle timetables and routes can be found on the Asturias Transport Consortium’s website.