La Orotava Launches Shared Taxi Service for Midland Residents
La Orotava Town Hall and the Island Council are launching a two-year shared taxi service, co-funded by both entities, to improve public transport accessibility for over 8,000 residents in the municipality's midland areas, connecting them to the main bus network.
La Orotava Town Hall and the Island Council are launching a new transport service using shared taxis. This will help over 8,000 people living in the midland areas of the municipality. The Island Council officially approved the partnership yesterday, aiming to make it easier for people to get around in areas where bus routes are limited due to the landscape.
The project will run for two years and will serve residents in Barroso, Pinolere, La Florida, Los Pinos, Hacienda Perdida, Chasna, Aguamansa, Bebedero, and Benijos. This will connect these communities to the main bus network run by Titsa.
The Island Council will contribute 15,000 euros this year and 30,000 euros in 2026 to help cover the cost of each passenger trip. La Orotava Town Hall will provide 70,000 euros this year and 108,520 euros in 2026.
This is a flexible service where people will use their Ten+ mobility card. The transport provider will receive 1.5 euros for each journey.
Officials hope this service will be as successful as similar schemes already running in the southeast of the island. That service, which started a year ago in Arico, Fasnia, and Güímar, has already served over 13,000 passengers with 70 to 80 trips each day. The Island Council plans to expand this type of service to other areas.
Rosa Dávila, the island's president, stated that this agreement is a "decisive step to ensure that no area of our island remains disconnected due to geographical reasons or population dispersion." She added that the goal is for "all residents of La Orotava to have access to efficient, modern, and accessible public transport, regardless of where they live." She explained that this type of service "allows mobility to be adapted to the real needs of the population, especially in areas where a conventional bus service is not viable."
The president also emphasized the importance of making the service accessible for everyone, especially those with reduced mobility, ensuring they can travel "safely, comfortably, and autonomously."
Francisco Linares, the mayor of La Orotava, thanked the Island Council for their support, saying the shared taxi project "fulfills one of the demands of the residents, especially those in the midland areas."
Linares explained that the aim is to improve transport links to the upper parts of the town, particularly in areas that Titsa bus lines cannot easily reach due to the terrain.