Santa Cruz de Tenerife 21 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Cabildo de Tenerife, via Metaranife, has received applications from three firms with global expertise in major transport infrastructures for the Northern Train Ideas Contest, an initiative designed to link Santa Cruz with Los Realejos and is presented as a “definitive” solution to mobility challenges.
In this respect, SERN, Ardanuy Engineering and the Consultans-Transult Alliance have completed their registration in the process, bringing their expertise in railway infrastructure, sustainable mobility, and transport innovation, as announced on Thursday by the Cabildo de Tenerife during a press briefing.
“We possess a limited territory, with one of the highest motorisation rates globally, hence we need to invest in innovative solutions already implemented elsewhere to address the challenges of orography and mobility in large urban areas,” emphasised the island’s president, Rosa Dávila, who clarified that the infrastructure could be an aerial, underground, conventional, or hybrid train proposal.
The deadline for submitting applications concluded on January 31, 2025, marking the beginning of a contest that will span 20 months, concluding in September 2026. This project aims to “design an innovative, efficient, and environmentally respectful railway system that minimises land consumption, seamlessly integrates into the Tenerife landscape, and preserves the urban and natural surroundings of the island.”
Consequently, the route must align with the TF-5 highway corridor without compromising its capacity, assuring intermodality with the tram and the upcoming southern train, in accordance with the sustainable mobility model that, according to the president, is a concept for addressing the mobility issues on the island.
It is also stipulated that the proposal should minimally impact the territory, placing a strong emphasis on the protection of areas with significant landscape value and urban settings. “Within three months, you will see the concepts from these engineering firms, and in 2026, we will know the winning concept,” she stated.
“We have been discussing trains for 20 years, and I appreciate that people might view this as a distant aspiration; however, this government (CC and PP) is dedicated to the rail project, recognising it as a viable solution for sustainable mobility on such a delicate island,” she added.
Regarding the experience and aspirations of the bidding firms, the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, stated that they are organisations with global reach that prioritise minimal environmental impact in their operations, having contributed significantly “across all five continents, adapting solutions to specific spaces, countries, and conditions.”
Furthermore, she noted that these firms have been involved in notable international railway 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, Mexico City, among other initiatives.
PROCEDURE
The project director of Metropolitano and Metropolitan Communication for Tenerife, Raúl Parra, has conveyed the anticipated process for the Northern Train Ideas Contest. He clarified that it will be at the start of 2026 when the chosen winning concept could be announced by the jury.
Once the financial and technical capabilities of the firms are validated, they will be given a three-month period to present their ideas. Following this, a jury will evaluate the proposals anonymously, and they will then have five months to “compete” and support their submissions. “By the end of 2026, we should have the feasibility study,” he mentioned.
He added that the jury will consist of five members, two from the Cabildo and two from Metropolitan Tenerife, along with an expert chairperson.
“At the start of 2026, the jury will identify the winning proposal, which will subsequently be tasked with the feasibility study of the presented concept for a duration of five months, with findings expected by the close of that same year,” he elaborated.
Each participating company that submits a proposal will receive 20,000 euros. The top prize will amount to 50,000 euros, the second prize will receive 40,000 euros, and the third will get 30,000 euros.
The council’s prediction for Tenerife is that the Northern Train infrastructure could accommodate 10 million passengers annually.
