The Cabildo de Tenerife, through Metaranife, has received submissions from three firms with global expertise in major transport infrastructures for the Northern Train Ideas Competition. This initiative seeks to connect Santa Cruz with the Realejos and is intended to be, as per the corporation, the “ultimate” solution for mobility on the island.
The candidates are Sener, Ardanuy Engineering, and the Consultans-Transconsult Alliance. As stated by the Cabildo, these companies have officially registered for the project, contributing their expertise in railway infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and transport innovation.
“Given our limited land area and one of the world’s highest vehicle ownership rates, we must invest in innovative solutions that are already implemented elsewhere to address the geographical and mobility challenges faced by large urban areas,” emphasised the island’s president, Rosa Dávila. She clarified that the infrastructure could emerge from an aerial, underground, conventional, or hybrid proposal.
The application process concluded on January 31, 2025, marking the commencement of a competition that will unfold over 20 months, concluding in September 2026. This project aspires to “develop an innovative, efficient, and environmentally considerate railway system that does not consume more land, integrates with the Tenerife landscape, and does not disrupt the urban or natural environments of the island.”
Consequently, the route should follow the TF-5 highway corridor without compromising its capacity, ensuring intermodal connectivity with the tram and the forthcoming southern train, in alignment with the sustainable mobility model that, as the president states, is essential to resolving the mobility issues on the island.
The guidelines also specify that the design should minimally impact the landscape, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding areas of significant scenic value and urban settings. “In three months, we will present the proposals from these engineering firms, and by 2026, we will identify the winning concept,” she stated.
“We have been discussing trains for two decades, and I understand why the public might perceive this as a dream, but this administration (CC and PP) is dedicated to advancing the railway project. We believe it to be feasible and the sole solution for sustainable transport on an island as fragile as ours. There is a firm commitment to the development of railway networks,” the island president expressed to the media.
Regarding the claim that it is “the only solution,” it is important to recall that a study commissioned by the Cabildo itself on Tenerife’s mobility identified other measures as more suitable, relegating the train to a last resort and prioritising the investment in dedicated bus lanes, among other options.
On the expertise and vision of the applicant firms, the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, noted that these companies boast international credentials and focus on minimising environmental impacts wherever they operate, having worked on projects across all five continents, tailoring solutions to the specific characteristics of each location, country, and context.
To illustrate, these firms have participated in notable global rail projects, including the Cairo Monorail, the planning and design of Barcelona Metro line 9, Metro line 1 in Algeria, and mobility studies in Madrid, Bogotá, and Mexico City, among other significant endeavours.
Procedure
The project manager of Metropolitano and Metropolitan Communication for Tenerife, Raúl Parra, has conveyed the upcoming process for the ideas contest regarding the Northern Train. He stated that by early 2026, the selected winning concept by the jury could be confirmed.
Following the verification of the financial and technical capability of the companies, they will be given three months to submit their proposals. Once the submissions are received, a jury will review the proposals anonymously, and then they will have five months to “compete” and advocate for their ideas. “By the end of 2026, a feasibility study could be available,” he mentioned.
He also noted that the jury will consist of five members, two of whom will represent the Cabildo, two from Metropolitan of Tenerife, along with an expert member serving as president.
“At the beginning of 2026, the jury will be able to determine the winning proposal, which will be responsible for carrying out the feasibility study based on the projected plan over five months, leading to results by the end of that same year,” he clarified.
Each participating company will receive 20,000 euros just for submitting a proposal. In terms of prizes, the first place will be awarded 50,000 euros, the second place will receive 40,000 euros, and the third place will get 30,000 euros.
The council’s projection for Tenerife indicates that the Northern Train infrastructure could accommodate 10 million passengers annually.
