The South Train of Tenerife is set to become the third most utilised regional rail network in Spain. The island’s rail infrastructure will rank just behind those of Madrid and Barcelona, with an anticipated capacity of 175,000 passengers per kilometre. This aspiration is on the verge of realisation following a meeting last Wednesday in Las Palmas between the island president, Rosa Dávila, and the Secretary of State for Transportation of the Government of Spain, José Antonio Santano, alongside various regional and local officials. Dávila emphasises that “the signing of the protocol with the Ministry of Transport in March will mark the beginning of a multiannual agreement that will secure financing for the South Train.”
Investment
The initial phase, requiring an investment estimated at 800 million euros, will facilitate the construction of the San Isidro – South Tenerife route, aiming to reduce carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Architects
Rosa Dávila commends the mediation and commitment from the Minister of Public Works of the Canary Islands, Pablo Rodríguez, as well as the dedicated efforts of the Insular Mobility Councillor, Eulalia García, and her technical team, noting that their contributions have been pivotal in bringing this strategic infrastructure into reality after 20 years of discussions.
“Inalienable”
The president categorises this railway development as “inalienable” and essential for ensuring mobility on the island. “We have devised a strategic plan for its gradual advancement, with the first phase linking San Isidro to Adeje, via the airport.” This is merely the initial step “in a project set to revolutionise our transportation in Tenerife,” she stated.
Connection
The train service will connect the metropolitan area with the South within 39 minutes, significantly decreasing travel times and diminishing reliance on private vehicles. With a capacity of 175,000 passengers per kilometre, its usage intensity is projected to be six times higher than that of the Cercanías de Sevilla and up to 47 times greater than in Cantabria.
Need
According to the president of the Cabildo, “these figures underline the necessity of this infrastructure and its positive repercussions on the quality of life for our residents, allowing for comfortable travel while optimizing their time.” She notes that this will enhance and ease travel for workers, residents, and visitors, alleviating traffic congestion and promoting a more efficient and eco-friendly mode of travel.
San Isidro-Eje
The San Isidro – Adeje route has been selected for the South Train Project, involving an investment of 800 million euros and covering a distance of 30 kilometres. The journey between these two points is expected to take approximately 25 minutes, resulting in a significant reduction in travel time compared to current journeys by private vehicle, especially during peak traffic periods. Furthermore, this segment will connect key locations on the island, such as the industrial area of Las Chafiras, Tenerife Sur Airport, the Port of Los Cristianos, and the Hospital of El Mojón. It is also expected to decrease half a million daily car trips, easing pressure on the TF-1 motorway.
Environmental impact
As of now, there are 3.2 million daily trips made in Tenerife, with a fleet of 900,000 vehicles. The South Train service between San Isidro and Costa Adeje is projected to eliminate half a million cars daily, translating to an annual reduction of 72,000 tons of CO2 emissions. “This reflects our commitment to decarbonisation and adherence to climate targets. Tenerife must actively engage in the battle against climate change and in the enhancement of air quality,” stated Dávila. In September 2024, the Cabildo awarded a contract for updating the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) of the project, with a duration of eight months.
Plurianual
The Cabildo president regarded last Wednesday’s meeting as “historic”, as “it marks the first instance” of the Ministry agreeing to endorse a collaboration protocol before the end of March. “This document will pave the way for a multiannual funding agreement, ensuring the required resources without interruptions,” emphasised Rosa Dávila. “The Cabildo will not retract from the execution of the South Train. This is not merely an option but an urgent necessity to secure our island’s sustainable development,” she added. The multiannual agreement will span a 10-year period, extendable to 17 years, ensuring financial stability and mitigating delays linked to changes in the General State Budgets. “We cannot rely on annual political decisions for a project of this scale,” Dávila asserted, before concluding: “The multiannual agreement will provide us with the assurance that the South Train will proceed with the continuity it requires, free of risks of stagnation.”
System
The Insular Plan for Sustainable Mobility, aiming for 2045, envisions an insular rail ring comprising four major regional lines. Aside from the southern rail service (Santa Cruz-Adeje), which is the most developed project, the northern route (Santa Cruz-Los Realejos) is anticipated to include an aerial line to complete the perimeter, while plans for the west will connect Icod and Adeje, alongside an underground line from Güímar to La Orotava. The projected cost for these guided transportation systems is approximated at 5,735 million euros.
