They feared that it would become an eternal promise, as was the one that they made 15 years ago with the “temporary” bus pass through Serrano Street in the capital. That is why they were willing to continue with their protest, with the banners, the collection of signatures, and stop traffic if necessary (just by getting out and standing on the sidewalks the buses would not be able to turn). None of this has been necessary since, this Monday, the Governing Board of the Santa Cruz City Council approved that no bus, not even the 014 as they had been initially informed, will pass through the street again after the reopening of the road to the completion of asphalt works.
The Board approved the technical proposal, made by the Universal Mobility and Accessibility Service, in relation to the modification of the itineraries of the Titsa bus lines as they pass through General Serrano street. The proposal supposes an alternative route for lines 014, 026, 228, 901, 971 and 972 that circulate through Miraflores and will turn left on Galcerán street and then right on Ramón y Cajal street, continuing on this road until reach the intersection with Álvarez de Lugo street, where they will resume their usual route. Some actions with a cost of 75,000 euros and a six-month deadline for execution.
The Councilor for Mobility and Accessibility, Evelyn Alonso, pointed out the importance of the meeting held a few days ago with the residents of the area “to agree on a series of provisional measures while the work and administrative procedures necessary for the implementation of the definitive solution consisting of the diversion of the bus lines along Ramón y Cajal street”.
The definitive modification of the route will mean a change of direction of one lane in Ramón y Cajal street, between Galcerán and Alvarez de Lugo; traffic light regulation at the intersection of Miraflores and Galcerán; traffic light regulation at the Ramón y Cajal and Galcerán crossroads; a new traffic light crossing at Ramón y Cajal and Iriarte; a new traffic light regulation in Ramón y Cajal and Alvarez de Lugo; the installation of a new bus stop in the Military Square, on the side of Ramón y Cajal street; and the elimination, only in that part, of the parking spaces that are located on the side of the Military Square in the descending direction of Ramón y Cajal street.
The councilor of the Centro-Ifara district, Alfonso Cabello, recalled that lines 026, 228, 901, 971 and 972 will continue with the established detour and on line 014 “the mayor has held a conversation with the president of the Cabildo, since it is a supramunicipal line, so that during the six months that the work lasts it travels along the Rambla de Pulido, without having to go through Serrano street”.
In June 2023 and promoted by the Government Area for Environmental Sustainability and Public Services, the rehabilitation works of the pavements began on General Serrano street, being necessary for the execution of the works the diversion of the bus lines that currently pass by General Serrano street. From Monday, May 22, until the completion of the pavement rehabilitation works, lines 014, 026, 228, 901, 971 and 972 in the upward direction were affected by a temporary diversion.
