Tenerife Deploys First Double-Decker Bus to Tackle Traffic Congestion
Tenerife has introduced its first double-decker bus to the TITSA fleet, aiming to increase passenger capacity by 44% and reduce traffic congestion on the island's busiest routes.
Tenerife is changing how it handles public transport with the arrival of its first double-decker bus. Now at the port of Santa Cruz, this new vehicle is part of a plan to reduce traffic congestion on the island’s main roads, particularly the TF-1.
The bus will debut on line 110, which connects the Santa Cruz interchange with Costa Adeje. This route is seeing high demand, with passenger numbers rising by 14% last year to over 1.2 million. By using double-decker buses, the capacity per trip will jump from 59 to 85 seats—a 44% increase.
Before hitting the road, the bus must undergo technical checks at TITSA’s facilities to install ticketing, security, and passenger information systems. Island Council President Rosa Dávila, Mobility Minister Eulalia García, and TITSA head Victoria Padilla confirmed this is the first of 13 double-decker buses arriving before summer. These will eventually serve other busy routes, such as the 112 and 108, with the goal of adding two million extra seats to the network annually.
The new buses are designed for accessibility, featuring both electric and manual ramps, dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility, and assistance systems for the visually impaired. This is part of a larger modernization effort that has seen 351 new buses added to the fleet over the last three years, bringing the average age of the vehicles down to just three years.
Looking ahead, the Council plans to add another 25 interurban buses by 2027, including five more double-deckers, which will bring the total number of these high-capacity vehicles to 18. Beyond improving efficiency, this fleet renewal supports the island’s sustainability goals; updating the buses has already helped reduce the operator's pollutant emissions by 7%.