Tenerife’s Mobility Plan Shows Promising Results
The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa Dávila, has highlighted the significant success of the Island Mobility Plan, which has led to a notable reduction in travel times across the island, particularly on its two most congested highways. During a presentation at the island plenary session, Dávila provided a review of her administration’s first two years, emphasizing that the implemented measures are now yielding tangible benefits for residents and commuters.
Staggered Schedules and Improved Links Ease Congestion
One of the most impactful initiatives has been the introduction of staggered class start times at the University of La Laguna (ULL). This single measure has successfully reduced the daily commute for those traveling from the north of the island by 15%. Data collected from the GPS systems on Titsa buses shows that this staggered scheduling, combined with the implementation of shuttle bus services and enhanced road connections, has been instrumental in alleviating pressure on Tenerife’s main roads.
Major Highways See Significant Time Savings
The improvements are most evident on the TF-5, one of the island’s busiest routes. Commutes from Puerto de la Cruz towards the metropolitan area now see an average reduction of 10% at 8:00 AM and a substantial 18% at 9:00 AM. On the TF-1, enhancements at the San Isidro roundabout and the resolution of linkage issues have cut travel times by an average of 15%, with reductions reaching as high as 30% on certain days and during specific hours.
Public Transport Gains Thousands of New Users
The island president also underscored the progress made in public transport since 2023. Fueled by free fare initiatives and overall service improvements, more than 120,000 new users have joined the public transport system in just two years. Furthermore, the number of active Ten+ travel cards has reached two million in the last month alone. To support this growing demand, the Titsa bus fleet has been expanded with 247 new vehicles, and 360 new staff members have been hired, 300 of whom are drivers.
Short and Long-Term Vision for Island Mobility
Looking ahead, Dávila explained that the Island Council’s immediate efforts are focused on renovating a dozen problematic roundabouts and improving 600 kilometers of roads to increase both traffic safety and flow. For the long term, the Tenerife Mobility Plan 2035 envisions the development of railway systems as a strategic cornerstone for the future. In this regard, Dávila confirmed that the Southern Train is the most advanced project, representing a “firm commitment to sustainable mobility and the reduction of emissions.”
