Public transport reached a historical record in 2022 in Tenerife with more than 63 million passengers on buses and trams. The island’s public transport reaches its ceiling after the reduction to 50% of the price of the bonds since last September and the gratuity in force since January 1st. This circumstance suggests that the figure may be exceeded in 2023. The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, values ”the determined commitment to these mobility systems that we have defended since the beginning of the mandate.” For his part, the head of Titsa and Metrotenerife, Enrique Arriaga, explains that “pre-pandemic values have been exceeded” and stresses that “never before, in all of history, have so many travelers been counted on the Island”. .
Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife (Titsa) added 48,182,000 passengers in 2022 to the 14,960,000 of Metropolitano, reaching a total number of 63,142,000 users. Pedro Martín, assures that now “the challenge” of being free of charge is being faced and he is confident that “they will take advantage of this magnificent opportunity to promote and encourage the use of public transport.” Martín emphasizes that throughout this mandate, with the aim of reinforcing the quality of the island’s mobility offer, “we have launched the largest recruitment of personnel and buses in the history of Titsa.” At the moment there are already 120 buses, “but in the coming years another important number will be incorporated.” He recalls that next year’s budgets contemplate an increase in public transport subsidies of 65% (from 60 to 101 million euros).
Good prospects
Enrique Arriaga stresses that “with the new rates and discounts we even hope to reach even higher numbers this year.” The vice president of the Cabildo adds that “the increase in the use of public transport is not only a symptom of a recovery from the pandemic situation, but also evidences the work of the Cabildo and transport companies to promote the use of buses and trams.
In the case of Metrotenerife, the figure of 14,960,000 users is close to that reached in 2019, which was already the year with the highest demand record since the tram came into service, in 2007, with almost 15,555,000 passengers. Compared to previous years, the number of passengers recorded in 2022 represents an increase of 19% compared to the year 2021, when a total of 12,543,000 were recorded.
As for Titsa, the number of people transported reached 48,182,000 last year. This value represents 5.3% more than before the pandemic and an increase of 31.3% compared to 2021, when there were still limitations on public transport.
All of the company’s routes experienced significant increases in the number of customers compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic. The long-distance routes that connect the capital with the South of the Island were the ones that had the greatest increase, with 31.8% more passengers compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. While the long-distance buses that connect the Santa Cruz Interchange with the North increased their travelers by 22%.
Kings Day
After an intense magical night with special services such as double trams every ten minutes, today, a festive day, the tram network will be operational from 8:00 in the morning. Line 1 will resume service with simple trams and frequencies of 12, 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the time slot, while on Line 2 the trams will run every 15 minutes for most of the day. Regarding Titsa, the company will begin to make the first journeys from 8:10 am.
Schedules and frequencies can be consulted on the websites, www.metrotenerife.com and www.titsa.com, on the hotline 922.53.13.00 in the case of buses, or through the social networks of both companies.
The lines of free
The main interchanges on the island, in Santa Cruz and La Laguna, have been registering queues all this week for those who want to acquire or renew the vouchers that entitle them to free public transport. At mid-morning yesterday, the capital station showed a trail of people around the information and sales office located on the second floor. The security guards had to organize the line to avoid the initial bumps with those who got off or wanted to get on the buses, especially those from the south of the island, whose docks are close. Gabriela is a regular user and because of her work, precisely in the south, “it’s fantastic for me.” Antonia asks if retirees can benefit and before she reaches the counter, where three people serve, they already answer: “Yes.” Andrés arrives from a neighborhood. He takes buses every day and it is clear to him: “I am going to make many more than the 15 trips that they entitle.” The queues of gratuity. | JDM
