Rosa Dávila, the President of the Island Council of Tenerife, announced on Thursday that the council anticipates the commencement of the southern train project with the San Isidro-Adeje section, which is expected to cost approximately 800 million euros.
This announcement was made during a press conference alongside José Miguel Ruano, the Councillor for the Presidency, Administration and Public Service, Territorial Planning and Historical Heritage. Ruano emphasised that the development of the island’s railway system is a “non-negotiable goal.”
Dávila noted that due to four years of “standstill” under the PSOE-CS government, technical plans need updating. Additionally, the environmental impact assessment is outdated, and modifications are necessary for the Tenerife Island Management Plan (PIOT), a process expected to take at least one year.
Should the project secure the necessary funding and technical and legal support, construction is projected to last about four years.
Dávila praised the “unwavering support” from the Ministry of Transport for Tenerife and Gran Canaria’s proposals and expressed confidence in securing the needed funds, considering the 4,000 million euros required for the projects across the two principal islands as manageable for the national network.
She highlighted the project’s alignment with the EU’s decarbonisation goals, which are backed by substantial funding, in addition to potential contributions from the central and Canary Islands governments and the Island Council through Metrotenerife.
The selection of the San Isidro-Adeje section for initial development was based on its high traffic, with half a million journeys per day, 93% by residents, and its significant infrastructure including an industrial zone, airport, port, hospital, and major employment centres. This segment could become the second busiest in terms of passenger density per kilometre, surpassed only by Madrid’s commuter train.
Dávila asserted the economic and environmental viability of the train, presenting it as a solution to the island’s transportation issues, while lamenting the lack of recent communication with the Ministry.
Regarding the northern railway project, it was mentioned to be less advanced, with alternative, less intrusive options being considered, such as a ‘train-tram’ system potentially extending to El Sauzal at lower speeds than the southern train.
Ruano stressed the importance of securing Ministry support for necessary funding and highlighted the need to update all projects, including Tenerife’s integration into the national railway network and revising the PIOT to incorporate road corridors.
The collaboration team, formed between the Ministry and Canary Islands entities – consisting of the Deputy Director of Railways, the technical team from the General Directorate of Transport, Teodoro Sosa, the Councillor for Mobility of Gran Canaria, and Eulalia García and José Miguel Ruano, the Tenerife Island Council’s Councillors for Mobility and Strategic Planning – is set to have its initial meeting before the end of April.
