Tenerife to Launch Express Tow Service for Highway Congestion
Tenerife is set to launch an express tow truck service this summer to quickly clear vehicles from its main TF-1 and TF-5 highways, aiming to significantly reduce traffic congestion.
Tenerife is set to launch a new "express tow truck" service to quickly clear vehicles from its main highways, the TF-1 (South) and TF-5 (North). The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has given the Cabildo de Tenerife the green light for this rapid towing service, which aims to reduce the island's frequent traffic jams. Mobility Councilor Eulalia García announced the news during a recent council meeting.
Cabildo President Rosa Dávila had previously voiced her frustration because a similar agreement for Gran Canaria was processed first, even though Tenerife originally proposed the idea. While a firm date for Tenerife's agreement with the DGT isn't set, the service is expected to begin this summer. This timing matches what Gran Canaria's President, Antonio Morales, has predicted for his island's similar initiative. The island government confirmed that final approval from the Ministry of Interior was essential before the service could proceed.
Tenerife first put forward its proposal in October 2023. The DGT found it interesting from the start, but formal authorization was needed, which has now been granted. This rapid towing service is part of the Cabildo's wider mobility plan, which includes more than seventy actions designed to improve traffic flow and ease congestion. The goal is to remove stalled vehicles within an average of fifteen minutes. This will be achieved through a network of strategically placed bases, a key factor in preventing long traffic queues.
President Dávila championed this initiative early in her term to tackle congestion on the island's main roads. To support this, the island's Governing Council approved 350,000 euros in February of last year to fund the service, with the same expectation of a fifteen-minute response time after an incident.
The need for this service is particularly acute due to the design of Tenerife's highways. Their narrow shoulders often make it unsafe for vehicles to stop without blocking part of the road. This issue, combined with the delays of traditional tow trucks – which themselves get caught in traffic – causes significant disruption. The TF-5, especially between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, is the most affected route. Areas like San Lázaro and Las Chumberas see over 100,000 vehicles daily, highlighting the urgent need for solutions that keep the roads clear.