The entry into force on Thursday of the land transport subsidy by the central government, which rises from 30% to 50% in buses and trams, has triggered the sale of passes in all its forms, with more than 6,000 recharges in the first day. This was stated by the Vice President of the council and Minister of Transport, Enrique Arriaga, who explained that the Canary Resident Bonus recorded on Thursday, compared to the same day last year, a growth in sales of 708%, going from 389 to 3,113 titles.
The increases have also been detected in the young subscription, which increases sales by 360% to 2,654 recharges, among retirees, with 182 subscriptions sold on the first day (+32%) and the disabled, who go from 11 to 115, a 945% more.
Arriaga was “confident” that sales will grow more as the month progresses and the start of the school year in Secondary and University approaches and he does not hide that in some routes, there may even be a certain saturation. “From now on, it will be necessary to study in which routes these bonuses and routes are used” to know if they really meet the objective.
Regarding the future of the bonuses, he appealed for them to remain in force beyond December 31.
The Cabildo, with its own funds of 10 million, will take the subsidy up to 34% in 2023 and trusts that another administration can cover up to 50% in order to maintain prices. In this case, he confessed that he “misses” the Government of the Canary Islands, because it has become a “mere processor” of the subsidy, but has not provided funds, something that he could do at least from next year. “No one would understand that as of January 1, when winter tightens, the aid will be eliminated, that is why we have always opted to give this initiative an indefinite character,” he said.
In addition, he acknowledged that transport in La Palma will be free until the end of the year, but he understands that the situation “is not comparable”, given that Tenerife has 60 million travelers for two million on the beautiful island. “The Cabildo cannot assume gratuity”, he indicated.
