SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, declared on Tuesday the increase in capacity for the new university shuttle buses operating in the northern and southern regions.
“We are very pleased with the success of the shuttles and starting tomorrow, Wednesday, we will be launching a larger vehicle, specifically a 15-metre bus, to cater to the demand in southern Tenerife,” the council noted in a statement.
In this context, the current shuttle bus servicing line 611 from Costa Adeje to the Anchieta and Guajara Campuses will feature enhanced seating with the introduction of the new 15-metre bus, increasing its passenger capacity from 79 to 85.
Rosa Dávila announced this initiative after greeting the shuttle passengers who arrived early this Tuesday morning at the La Laguna Interchange before heading to the Guajara Campus.
The president of the island council was joined by the rector of the University of La Laguna, Francisco García; the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García; the Minister of Youth and Training, Serafín Mesa; and University of La Laguna students David Bonalde and Andrea Carrero, advocates of the shuttle service from the south.
Dávila expressed her pride in the proposal put forward by the two students, which was eventually presented to the Cabildo, noting that “it is a groundbreaking initiative in the Canary Islands, coinciding with European Mobility Week, reinforcing our commitment to the green revolution with a focus on free public transport development across bus, train, and tram systems.”
She indicated that these shuttles are also a component of a “wider sustainable mobility strategy” being implemented by the Cabildo de Tenerife.
“With the new routes, we link important locations in the south, such as Los Cristianos, San Isidro, and Candelaria, with the University of La Laguna, and in the north, connecting La Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, and Los Realejos,” she stated.
The Minister for Mobility, Eulalia García, remarked that “the work carried out by the students was highly commendable and as a result, along with Titsa, new vehicles and drivers are being continually integrated, enabling these shuttles to operate in response to user demand.”
Francisco García, rector of the University of La Laguna, expressed gratitude to the Cabildo for the launch of the new shuttle buses and highlighted that the influx of passengers demonstrates “the high demand for this service and makes it clear that public transport is essential for addressing the significant issue of traffic on Tenerife.”
He further explained that collaboration between the Tenerife Island Council and the University of La Laguna is “essential” to achieving these aims.
The rector also commended the efforts and initiative of the students behind the proposal for the southern shuttles.
Specifically, students David Bonalde and Andrea Carrero conveyed their thanks to the Council and the university community for “actively supporting the proposal” with “resounding and decisive backing.”
“There is still a significant journey ahead, but this marks a substantial move for the institutions: heeding the concerns of students who have long been overlooked,” remarked Bonalde.
Likewise, Andrea Carrero stated that her suggestion “has eased the burden on the university experience slightly” for students, acknowledging that “it is not straightforward.”
NEW ROUTES AND SCHEDULES
The new shuttle services, 605 (La Orotava-University) and 611 (Costa Adeje-University), have been added to the routes established last year, which connect Icod de los Vinos (606) and Los Realejos (608) to the Guajara Classrooms, respectively.
Line 611 will connect Costa Adeje station with the University Hospital, stopping at Los Cristianos, San Isidro, Güímar, Candelaria, Guajara Campus, Andrómeda Street, La Laguna Interchange (Central Campus in Anchieta), Faculty of Economics, and the Lecture Hall.
The shuttle will operate from Monday to Friday during the academic hours of the University of La Laguna, departing Costa Adeje station at 06:45 and 13:10, and returning from the University Hospital at 14:40 and 21:00.
Line 605, departing from La Orotava station, will stop at Calle Nelson Mandela, El Ramal, Coromoto, the Faculty of Economics, the Guajara Lecture Hall, the Canary Islands University Hospital (HUC), and La Candelaria Hospital.
This newly introduced route will be in operation from Monday to Friday during the academic hours of the University of La Laguna, leaving La Orotava at 07:05 and returning at 14:35.
