The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila (CC), announced on Monday the procurement of additional buses and the recruitment of more drivers – up to 300 in each category – to address the surge in demand stemming from free public transport.
In remarks to the press during a visit to the Titsa control centre, she clarified that “there is no plan B” for the free provision and that the Cabildo is committed to advocating to the central government for the continuation of this initiative.
She stated that passenger numbers have increased by as much as 20%, with projections indicating that the year will conclude with a “record” total of nearly 80 million, as last October’s figures nearly reached approximately 68 million.
Dávila emphasised that with the addition of new buses and drivers, the most “overloaded” routes would be bolstered, noting that out of 7,000 daily trips made by the company, around 1,000 are already experiencing congestion.
She reiterated that the improvement in mobility has been “remarkable” due to the free transport system, which complements the “significant green revolution” initiated by the Cabildo in Titsa, transforming it into the “second company in all of Spain with the most modernised and least polluting fleet.”
“If the State’s general budgets are prolonged, there should be no uncertainty regarding the funding, as these 80 million would be extended, and there is no justification for the Canary Islands, or Tenerife, to be deprived of free transport,” she stated.
The president of Tenerife pledged to “enhance” the early morning services, particularly long-distance routes, highlighting the “tremendous success” of the ‘shuttle buses’ associated with the University of La Laguna, since many students have relocated from the metropolitan area because of rental challenges.
However, she clarified that the “sole plan” is that “there is no justification” for the Spanish Government to “withdraw” the support for free services.
RENFE AND ADIF ARE A “DRAIN”
“I can appreciate that the Government of Spain is facing a serious situation with Renfe and Adif, which is a drain on public finances worth billions, but 80 million in the General State Budgets that are already designated and would be continued should not pose an issue,” she remarked.
The president asserted that an agreement would be negotiated in the Cabildo to ensure the availability of free service while awaiting the central government’s continuation of the initiative, but she remains hopeful that the Government will uphold a measure that is proving “beneficial” for the Canary Islands.
She pointed out that on the island, there is no alternative to public transport “other than the bus” and it has been “demonstrated” that it is a “significant” method for alleviating congestion on the roads.
Hence, she noted, “the continuation of free transport on the island of Tenerife and the other islands is not merely tied to inflation” but to “low” wages and excessive “motorisation” on the roads.
