Titsa Launches Extensive Transport Plan for Candelaria Pilgrimage in Tenerife
Tenerife transport provider Titsa has launched an extensive bus operation plan, including new shuttle services and parking incentives, to manage the influx of pilgrims during the upcoming Our Lady of Candelaria festival.
The festival of Our Lady of Candelaria is approaching, and local transport provider Titsa is preparing for one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Tenerife. To manage the thousands of pilgrims expected to visit on August 14 and 15, the company has launched an extensive transport plan designed to reduce traffic congestion and encourage the use of buses instead of private cars.
The operational plan includes two new shuttle services: line 522, running between La Laguna and Candelaria, and line 529, which will travel from Izaña through Arafo and the Chivisaya Viewpoint. Additionally, Titsa will increase the frequency of regular lines 120 and 122, which connect Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Candelaria and the Güímar Valley.
To keep traffic moving, bus stops will be reorganized. From 2:00 p.m. on Friday until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, all bus operations will be centralized on Avenida de los Menceyes, near the old station. During this time, the stretch between Calle Bélgica and Plaza de Teror will be closed to traffic to accommodate the high number of pedestrians.
To further encourage public transport use, Titsa is offering free parking at the Santa Cruz and La Laguna interchanges for passengers using lines 120, 122, or 522. This offer is valid from Friday afternoon through Saturday night; passengers simply need to show proof of their bus travel at the parking office to claim the discount.
This logistical effort aims to handle the massive influx of visitors safely and efficiently. By prioritizing public transport, the initiative seeks to reduce the island's carbon footprint and prevent the gridlock that typically affects the roads leading to Candelaria during the festival.