Tenerife Keeps Free Bus Tickets, Expands On-Demand Transport Amid Funding Push
Tenerife's Island Council confirmed the continuation of 100% free inter-town bus tickets for frequent users, currently subsidizing 60% of costs while seeking increased national funding, and also approved a €2.5 million expansion of its on-demand transport service to 12 new municipalities.
On Wednesday, the Tenerife Island Council confirmed that frequent users will continue to get 100% free Titsa bus tickets for travel between towns. The Council is currently paying 60% of the cost itself because so many more people are using the service.
However, the island president explained in a press conference that the national government still guarantees free public transport. This guarantee comes from an extra rule in the recently approved Sustainable Mobility Law. She clarified that the Tenerife Island Council is currently covering 60% of the cost because the initial 80 million euros from the national government isn't enough to cover the service anymore, as so many more people are using it across the islands. She added, "We are working to get these figures updated, as this funding can be increased, so the government can cover 100% of the cost."
Additionally, the Governing Council has approved plans to expand the on-demand transport service across the entire island. They will invest 2.5 million euros in this, and the service will reach 12 new municipalities: Los Silos, El Tanque, Garachico, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza, Santa Úrsula, La Victoria, Güímar, Arafo, La Guancha, and San Juan de La Rambla. So far, this service has been trialled in Fasnia, Arico, and Güímar, helping about 20,000 people living in more remote parts of the island.