The South Train of Tenerife, which will be implemented in stages, is set to establish itself as “the third most frequently utilised rail network in Spain, surpassed only by Madrid and Barcelona”, as emphasised on Thursday by the Cabildo de Tenerife in an announcement. This institution anticipates signing, prior to March, a co-operative protocol with the Ministry of Transport for a multiannual financial agreement “to progress without interruptions.”
Consequently, once the protocol is signed, the aim is to incorporate it into a long-term agreement spanning 10 years, extendable to 17, which will ensure “financial stability and prevent delays” due to alterations in the State’s general budget, as clarified by the island institution in a statement.
“This protocol marks a historic milestone and guarantees that this project is unstoppable. Tenerife requires the South Train, and from the Cabildo, we will not retract a single step in its implementation. It’s not merely an option; it is an essential necessity to ensure the sustainable development of our island,” stated the president.
In this regard, the island president has emphasised the significance of not relying on annual political choices for an infrastructure “of this scale.” Thus, he asserts, the multiannual agreement will provide “the assurance” that the South Train will be executed “with the continuity it requires, without risks of paralysis.”
Dávila has characterised this railway system as “non-negotiable” and vital for ensuring mobility on the island. “We have established a strategic plan for its gradual development, ensuring that the first phase will link San Isidro with Adeje, via the South Tenerife airport. This is the initial step of a project that will revolutionise the way we travel within Tenerife,” remarked Dávila.
The island institution reminds that the Tenerife train will enable connectivity between the metropolitan area and the southern part of the island in just 39 minutes, significantly decreasing travel times and reliance on private vehicles. With a capacity of 175,000 passengers per kilometre, its usage intensity will be six times that of the Cercanías de Sevilla and up to 47 times higher than that of Cantabria.
First phase, San Isidro-Costa Adeje
In the South Train initiative, prioritisation has been given to the San Isidro – Adeje section, involving an investment of 800 million euros and a distance of 30 kilometres. The travel time is estimated at 25 minutes.
In addition to alleviating road congestion, this section will connect key locations on the island such as the industrial area of Las Chafiras, Tenerife Sur Airport, the port of Los Cristianos, and El Mojón Hospital, thereby fostering both effective transport and employment in these vital regions.
The Cabildo further notes that it will also lead to a reduction of half a million daily car trips, easing the strain on the TF-1, which is one of the most congested routes on the island.
Environmental impact
According to El Cabildo, there are 3.2 million daily journeys made in Tenerife, with a vehicle fleet consisting of 900,000 cars. Thus, the South Train, within its San Isidro-Costa Adeje section, will facilitate the removal of half a million cars each day, equivalent to an annual reduction of 72,000 tonnes of CO2.
Additionally, the island institution has commissioned an update of the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) for the South Train Project in September 2024, with an execution timeframe of 8 months.
