The public transport company of the Cabildo of La Gomera has presented a new mobile application that allows users to consult lines, schedules, and real-time arrival times. The tool is available in Spanish and English.
Public transport users in La Gomera can now plan their journeys with just a few taps on their mobile. GuaguaGomera, the public company dependent on the island's Cabildo, has launched an application that centralises all service information: lines, schedules, stops, and estimated arrival times updated every ten seconds.
The initiative is part of a modernisation process for collective transport on the island, as explained by the president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, during the presentation. “Incorporating technological solutions makes public services more accessible and efficient,” he stated. Curbelo also emphasised that improving access to information encourages the use of public transport and guarantees the right to mobility on an island with unique geographical characteristics.
Features designed for everyday use
The application allows users to calculate routes from a starting point to a specific destination, consult lines and schedules, and locate the nearest stops. It also offers the option to see which buses are approaching each stop and what their next stop is on the route. Inmaculada Padrón, manager of GuaguaGomera, highlighted that the platform has been designed to be “simple and intuitive,” focused on the real needs of users. Additionally, it includes information about passes, fares, and points of sale and recharge for transport tickets.
The content is available in Spanish and English, a detail aimed at both residents and the thousands of tourists who visit the island each year. The island's Mobility Councillor, Cristina Ventura, noted that the app responds to a practical need of citizens: “It allows for a more direct relationship between the transport service and its users.” Ventura added that the integration of routes, schedules, and estimated times into a single platform will significantly enhance the travel experience.
Real-time and geolocation
One of the key features is the consultation of the estimated arrival time of vehicles. For each service, the line number, direction of the route, and the expected time to the selected stop are displayed. This information is updated every ten seconds based on the actual location of the vehicle, thanks to GPS. Users can select a stop by entering its code or locating it on an interactive map.
The application also allows, through geolocation, to visualise the nearest stops, lines, and points of sale to the device's location. To fully enjoy these features, an internet connection is required. The app is already available for devices with Android and iOS operating systems.
With this tool, the Cabildo hopes to increase the number of public transport travellers, especially on an island where distances and topography make private cars the predominant means of transport. Residents of municipalities such as San Sebastián, Hermigua, or Valle Gran Rey can now check in real-time if the bus is on its way, without having to wait at the stop without knowing how long it will take.
“Improving access to information encourages the use of collective transport and guarantees the right to mobility on an island with unique geographical characteristics,” stated Casimiro Curbelo.
The application adds to other digital initiatives by the Cabildo, such as the GuaguaGomera website, and represents another step towards the digitalisation of public services on the island. For tourists, the app will facilitate the exploration of places like the Garajonay National Park or the beaches of Valle Gran Rey without relying on a private vehicle. The download is free and is already operational.
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