Santa Cruz Free Buses Gain Nearly Million Riders in 2025
Santa Cruz de Tenerife's free bus service, now in its third year of extended operation, saw passenger numbers surge by 5.8% to 17.2 million in 2025, with nearly a million more users than the previous year, thanks to ongoing government investment and service enhancements.
The free bus service in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which marked its third year in 2025 since its extension was approved by the central government, has seen nearly a million more passengers. Specifically, 939,627 more people used the buses compared to the year before. Overall, 17.2 million passengers used the service throughout 2025, a 5.8% rise from 2024.
The Canarian Government, made up of Coalición Canaria and Partido Popular, had to push hard in Madrid late last year to keep the free service going. They argued that the service had led to a big jump in passenger numbers and helped promote eco-friendly travel. Figures from the city council's urban transport system back up these claims. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez explained that the city's government team "has made an extra effort with new lines, timetables, and more frequent services. This improves mobility, makes it easier to get into the city, and cuts down on CO2 emissions – a key part of sustainability for all council departments." To support this, the City Council approved a new contract with Titsa late last year, adding two million euros annually to the service cost. This money will go towards improving current routes, adding new ones, and replacing 61 vehicles in the fleet.
The passenger growth in 2025 builds on increases from previous years. Councilor Evelyn Alonso noted that since 2022, improvements have been made thanks to an extra 690,000 euros invested each year.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife's urban transport network has 38 lines, covering over five million kilometers with 130 vehicles and 338 drivers. Titsa, the company running the service, reported 297,246 users in the Anaga area in 2025, an increase of 1,131 from 2024. The SC-Anaga Urban network saw 2.5 million passengers in 2025, up by 86,423 from the previous year. Line 910, which connects the Intercambiador with Las Teresitas beach, was particularly popular, recording 22 million users – 68,695 more than in 2024.
In the Centro-Ifara district, lines 902, 912, 914, 920, and 921 carried 1.8 million passengers in 2025. This was up from 1.6 million the year before, marking an increase of 241,533 passengers, or 14.7%. This was the biggest percentage rise seen in any district.
The Ofra-Costa Sur lines saw nearly five million passengers, an increase of 300,429 from 2024, or 6.5%. In the Salud-La Salle district, 3.1 million passengers used the buses in 2025, up by 173,021, a 5.9% increase. Lastly, in the Southwest, 4.5 million people chose urban public transport in 2025, an increase of 137,090 passengers. Line 934 (Circular Intercambiador-Taco-SC) was particularly popular, with 2.8 million users.
Buses will remain free across the Canary Islands for passengers using season tickets and multi-journey passes. This benefit is aimed at frequent travelers, meaning those who buy single tickets or use the service only occasionally will not qualify for the free travel.