Tenerife Sees Surge in Public Transport Use During Major August Events
Tenerife’s public bus service, Titsa, saw a 3.4% increase in ridership during the August long weekend as authorities added nearly 53,000 extra seats to manage traffic during major local events.
Public transport is becoming a reliable alternative to driving during major events in Tenerife. According to the Island Council, the public bus service, Titsa, carried over 53,700 passengers during the long weekend in August—a 3.4% increase compared to last year.
To help reduce traffic congestion in areas where private vehicles often overwhelm local roads, authorities added nearly 53,000 extra seats across the network. The impact of this service varied depending on the event:
- Virgin of Candelaria: This remains the most popular event. Between August 14 and 15, the special transport operation—which included regular routes and a shuttle from La Laguna—carried 28,144 people. This was a 1.6% increase from the previous year, supported by 20,000 additional seats.
- Fiesta de la Pamela (Tejina): This event saw the biggest surge in popularity. With 12,919 passengers using lines 050, 051, and 057, ridership jumped by 20.5%. To manage the 2,201 extra passengers, the company added 10,000 supplementary seats.
- San Roque Pilgrimage (Garachico): Bus usage saw a slight dip, with 12,702 passengers on line 363—a 4% decrease from the previous year. However, the Island Council noted that this figure is still very high, exceeding a typical Sunday on that route by 7,000 people. To support the event, 23,000 extra seats were provided to connect Puerto de la Cruz, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Los Silos, and Buenavista.
The rise in public transport use reflects a growing commitment to sustainable travel on the island. Given Tenerife’s unique geography and limited road capacity, the ability of local authorities to provide efficient transport during large events is essential for keeping traffic moving.