The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, led by the Canarian Coalition and the PP, announced on Wednesday the introduction of a parking payment system set to commence in 2026. This system will feature a blue zone for general use and a green zone for residents, along with an increase of 1,800 parking spaces across the city.
During the press conference for the announcement, there was no mention of limitations or distinctions for hire vehicles.
The system will operate throughout all districts and neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, with the aim, according to the City Council, of enhancing the rotation of parking spaces. It is anticipated that this will be executed via a concessional model involving an external company, which will be based on a fee yet to be determined in the two regulations currently being prepared by the City Council to define the conditions and requirements.
These regulations will establish hourly charges and annual fees, usage parameters for the parking facilities, user categories, and the system for penalties, among other details. It is estimated that 70% of the spaces will be allocated to residents, while 30% will be available for transient use.
This information was shared at a press conference by Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, who advocated that this model is already implemented in most Spanish capitals and stressed that this initiative is not intended to cater to “collective interests, but rather to act as a deterrent.”
It is worth noting that during Bermúdez’s tenure, six public car parks in the city, managed by private firms, failed to comply with stipulated hourly price caps and had been charging users above the set limits (up to 66% extra). This overcharging, denounced in 2022 by then Podemos councillor Ramón Trujillo, has never been reclaimed by the council or refunded. Furthermore, the operational fee, which was supposed to be 356 euros annually over 32 years, was slashed to just 40 euros and extended to 50 years, resulting in the city losing more than a million euros each year, as Trujillo pointed out at that time.
Concerning the newly constructed spaces (1,800), it still represents a figure lower than the approximately 2,000 spaces eliminated over the last five years, as reported by various neighbourhood associations located in the heart of the capital.
“Santa Cruz has a historical legacy marked by planning missteps and issues related to urban development. This indicates that problems must be resolved using systems that have proven successful in other capitals, and we need to implement these swiftly,” Bermúdez summarised.
He reiterated that mobility will focus “on public transport usage, pedestrian respect, and the existing transportation systems.”
The municipal councillor highlighted that the entire process will utilise automated and digital systems to streamline the penalty enforcement process and confirmed that this will be administered through a concession accessible to specialised private companies.
While he did not disclose specific prices, which will be determined within the draft regulations, the mayor did indicate that, for example…
For the designated green zones for residents, he asserts that if a dweller is assured of available parking upon returning home from work, the annual fee of 60 euros will not appear excessive, much like in other cities.
The advisor and head of the master plan, Fernando Davara, clarified that, based on the conducted research, around 400,000 vehicles traverse Santa Cruz daily.
These 400,000 vehicles are owned by both local residents and individuals from other municipalities who travel for varied purposes. This equates to a demand for 173,000 parking spaces, although this does not imply the need for 173,000 separate spaces, as the same parking facility can accommodate multiple users, highlighting the necessity for improved turnover, he explained.
In reality, one of the primary challenges identified from the analysis of vehicle flow is the turnover of registration plates, which creates significant pressure in specific regions.
“The aim is to discourage long-term parking while offering advantages to residents. Although this presents a complex challenge, it ultimately benefits local businesses as increased turnover stimulates commerce in a more organised setting and generates financial resources from mobility initiatives,” stated Davara.
He further noted that such systems have been proven to positively influence the reduction of both environmental and noise pollution.
In terms of introducing new parking spaces, the City Council aims to increase the projected number from 1,800 planned between 2025 and 2029 to 4,100 by 2032. These spaces will be constructed above ground, on the surface, and underground in areas like El Toscal, La Salud neighbourhood, the embankment beside the Ofra health centre, or in Chamberí.
Lastly, the mayor emphasised that the allocation of space for parking in the city is disproportionate when compared to pedestrian areas. He expressed that it is “complicated” to uphold a no-payment policy for parking in a city facing such challenges.
“What we need to do is maximise the utilisation of the parking spaces available through improved turnover, which can only be achieved by implementing time restrictions,” said Bermúdez, who also mentioned the lack of awareness regarding affordable parking options within the city.
“The most economical and largest car park in Santa Cruz remains underfilled, typically operating at half capacity despite its proximity to the downtown area, just a 15-minute walk away, and the available discounts for users who integrate public transport,” cautioned the mayor, referring to the interchange parking facility.
