The Health and Safety Committee of Intercity Bus, along with CCOO, warns that taxis and private cars are invading the temporary stop next to the Open Mall, making safe manoeuvring impossible.
The Health and Safety Committee of Intercity Bus, the company managing intercity public transport in Lanzarote, has raised alarms over the situation at the temporary bus stop located next to the Open Mall shopping centre in Arrecife. Workers' representatives, through CCOO, report that the regular presence of taxis parked in double rows and private vehicles hinders buses from approaching the curb safely for passengers to board and alight.
According to the statement released this Wednesday, this situation poses a risk to both travellers and pedestrians, as well as the drivers themselves. The stop was established temporarily while rainwater drainage works are carried out on the Rambla Medular, in the stretch between Puerto Naos and Los Alonso. The construction has forced the usual stop to be relocated, but the new location lacks the minimum conditions to ensure safety, according to the committee.
Bus drivers warn that the situation could lead to an accident if urgent solutions are not adopted. Therefore, they are requesting the Arrecife City Council and other administrations responsible for traffic and transport to act immediately to ensure the stop meets the appropriate conditions. In their letter, the committee formally documents the problem and warns that any eventual lack of action could result in liabilities if an incident occurs.
This is not the first time public transport workers in Lanzarote have reported safety issues at stops. Last March, the same committee already warned of "serious and repeated risks" in the vicinity of Terminal 1 of César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, where private vehicles occupied the bus stop for passenger drop-off and pick-up. On that occasion, drivers called for immediate intervention from the authorities.
In the case of the Open Mall, the situation is repeating itself despite the presence of a sign prohibiting parking for vehicles other than public transport, with fines of 200 euros for serious violations. However, the sign does not deter drivers, who continue to park in the area, according to the bus drivers' reports. The temporary stop, being in a location with lower visibility and lacking adequate infrastructure, exacerbates the danger.
The Health and Safety Committee insists that the priority is to protect public transport users and workers. Therefore, they are requesting measures such as the installation of physical barriers or the presence of traffic officers to ensure that the stop remains free of obstacles. Meanwhile, bus drivers are forced to perform risky manoeuvres to pick up and drop off passengers, leading to stress and danger.
The Arrecife City Council, for its part, has not yet commented on the complaint. However, the committee is hopeful that the competent administrations will take action before an accident occurs. The news comes at a time when public transport in Lanzarote is seeking to improve its image and attract more users, but incidents like this can generate distrust among citizens.
The residents of Arrecife and users of intercity transport are the main affected parties. Many of them use the Open Mall stop daily to travel to other municipalities on the island and fear for their safety. "Every time I get off the bus, I have to watch where I step because the cars are right next to the curb," comments a regular user. The situation repeats itself throughout the day, especially during peak hours.
The Health and Safety Committee of Intercity Bus has announced that it will continue to monitor the evolution of the stop and does not rule out taking additional measures if no response is received from the authorities. Meanwhile, bus drivers will continue to navigate the obstacles on the public road, hoping that a solution arrives before it is too late.
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