SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Dec. 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife (Titsa), a public company dependent on the Cabildo de Tenerife, has approved the tender to acquire 250 buses, of which 177 are hybrids, during the years 2024 and 2025 and that will mean the expansion of the fleet and the renewal of interurban vehicles over 10 years old.
The president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, points out in a note that “progress is being made in this way to solve a serious problem derived from the availability of Titsa’s vehicles”, since the rental contract expired “and the buses had to be returned”. .
Along these lines, he pointed out that this new fleet “will renew the existing one and will reinforce the quality of the mobility offer on the island.”
Pedro Martín also considers that “the item that will be dedicated to this new purchase is quite large and necessary since the situation of public transport on the island so demands it”, and recalled that the 2023 budget has already dedicated special attention “to sustainable mobility, with significant financing for public transport, of more than 110 million euros”.
He also recalled that “in terms of mobility, 101 million euros of the 2023 budget will go to subsidies for public transport, and it is also planned to acquire 40 new buses, which will be added to the 130 that will arrive over the next year “.
The president of Titsa, Enrique Arriaga, indicates that close to 95 million euros will be allocated to renew and expand the fleet, so that a quality service can continue to be provided.
In addition, it stresses that “the hybrid technology of many of these new vehicles will mean a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as considerable savings in the consumption of fossil fuel.”
Along these lines, Arriaga explains that “a hybrid bus uses two types of energy to achieve its displacement, on the one hand, an internal combustion engine, and on the other, one or more electric motors”, to which he adds that “it is estimated that the reduction in average consumption thanks to this system is 30%”.
44 INTERURBAN BUSES
The vehicles will be divided into six lots according to their typology that will give a total of 44 interurban buses of 15 meters; 125 units of 13 meters; 28 of 11 meters; 1 long-distance vehicle of 12 meters; 18 microbuses and 14 articulated buses 18 meters long.
The vice president of the transport company, José Alberto León, also stressed that “the 13-meter interurban buses will take up the largest part of the budget, specifically 48.7 million euros, since they are more necessary because they are used in the routes that have registered a greater increase in demand”.
On the other hand, León points out how important it will be for Titsa to be able to have these own vehicles and put aside the leasing regime that existed until now for many units of the fleet.
During the year 2024, a total of 146 units will arrive, among which there will be 24 interurban vehicles of 15 meters, 70 of 13 meters, 27 of 11 meters and 14 of 18 meter articulated vehicles.
In addition, 10 minibuses and a 12-meter long-distance bus will be added.
On the other hand, in the year 2025 Titsa will receive 20 interurban vehicles of 15 meters, 55 of 13 meters, 21 of 11 meters and 8 minibuses.
