The first double-decker bus for northern Tenerife will start operating this Tuesday on routes 100 and 108. The vehicle, which increases capacity by 44%, responds to a historical demand from users in the north of the island.
The first double-decker bus intended for northern Tenerife entered service this Tuesday, July 28, following an inaugural journey that departed from Icod de los Vinos. The vehicle, presented on Monday by the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, will reinforce routes 100 (Puerto de la Cruz-Santa Cruz) and 108 (Icod de los Vinos-Santa Cruz), the latter being one of the most demanded routes in the north with connections in seven municipalities.
The president of the Cabildo explained that both routes together account for more than two million users per year, of which 90% are residents of the island. On route 108, the percentage of local travellers reaches 97%. “We are talking about workers, students, families, and locals who use the bus for their daily commutes. Reinforcing these routes is improving their day-to-day lives,” Dávila stated during the presentation event.
The new vehicle, handcrafted to adapt to the characteristics of Tenerife, has 85 seats compared to 59 on a conventional bus, representing a 44% increase in capacity. This translates to thousands of additional seats per year on these routes. This measure is part of the reinforcement that the Cabildo has promoted over the last three years to improve service in the north.
Dávila recalled that the introduction of double-decker buses responds to a specific request from users in the north. “Since we announced the arrival of these vehicles, they made a very clear request: that they also cover the TF-5 motorway. Today we fulfil our commitment,” she affirmed.
The mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, described the day as “a historic day” and highlighted that the new bus represents “a qualitative and quantitative leap” for public transport in the north. Linares thanked the Cabildo for its commitment to mobility and noted that travel times between the north and Santa Cruz have already been reduced from between one and a half to two hours to about 45-50 minutes during school periods. “These new buses will make the service more comfortable, spacious, and attractive, benefiting both workers and patients, as well as all users,” he emphasised.
The island's Mobility Councillor, Eulalia García, detailed that the island will have a total of 13 double-decker buses, of which 10 are already in Tenerife. “This week we expect the arrival of the remaining three, and we have already awarded the purchase of five new ones, which will arrive in 2027,” she explained. These vehicles are already in service on the southern motorway (TF-1), on direct routes 110 and 112, which connect Santa Cruz with Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.
García highlighted that the new buses incorporate state-of-the-art technology, such as an ignition system with alcohol control (Alcolock), lane departure warnings, and blind spot detection, as well as digital cameras that replace conventional mirrors and seven interior surveillance cameras. “They are designed to ensure both passenger safety and the working conditions of the driving staff,” she noted.
The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of the Canary Islands Government, Francisco González, supported the statements and emphasised that mobility requires a strong commitment to public transport. He highlighted the Cabildo's investment efforts and called on citizens to increasingly use buses as a sustainable alternative.
The entry into service of this bus is part of a comprehensive renewal process of the TITSA fleet. In three years, 351 new buses have been incorporated, placing the company among the most modern fleets in Spain, with an average age close to three years. The renewal will continue with the arrival of another 57 buses before the end of the year and 25 more in 2027 for interurban routes.
During the inaugural journey, one of the residents of Icod who participated, María Everilda Luis Rodríguez, a regular public transport user, expressed her satisfaction: “It is a long-awaited improvement for those of us who travel frequently from the north; it is a day to remember.”
With this addition, users in northern Tenerife will have a more comfortable service with greater capacity, especially during peak hours. The double-decker bus will operate from this Tuesday on routes 100 and 108, with regular schedules.
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