Tenerife trains are closer to reality as Spanish Government commits to funding
Plans to build Tenerife’s long-discussed railway network have taken a major step forward, after the Spanish Government signed a protocol with the Canary Islands’ Government and the cabildos to develop train projects in both Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The overall investment is expected to exceed €4 billion.
The signing took place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife yesterday (Thursday), following a similar agreement in Gran Canaria the previous day. Officials stressed that this institutional collaboration is designed to ensure progress in financing and developing the rail network, with specific allocations to be included in the Spanish State Budget.
Tenerife South Line to be Prioritised
The first route to move forward will be the southern railway, linking San Isidro and Costa Adeje. This section will involve an investment of around €800 million, cover 30 kilometres, and take just 13 minutes to travel from start to finish. It will connect key locations such as Las Chafiras, Tenerife South Airport, Los Cristianos port, and El Mojón hospital.
On completion, the line is expected to remove around 100,000 cars per day from the TF-1 motorway, cutting annual CO2 emissions by approximately 72,000 tonnes.
A second phase would then extend the line from Santa Cruz to San Isidro, a 51-kilometre route allowing passengers to travel from the capital to Adeje in just 39 minutes. This section, with an estimated cost of €1.5 billion, could carry up to 67,000 passengers daily.
Northern Route Still Under Study
Work is also advancing on proposals for a northern railway. A competition has been launched, with three companies currently presenting feasibility studies. Authorities note that the northern project is “more complex” due to the terrain and population density.
Political and Historical Significance
Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, confirmed that the Spanish Government has already invested more than €50 million in rail studies for the islands, emphasising Madrid’s clear political commitment. He also expressed hope that European Union funding will support the project.
Regional leaders hailed the agreement as a milestone. The Canary Islands’ Regional Minister of Public Works, Pablo Rodríguez described the day as “historic”, while Canary Islands President, Fernando Clavijo, called it “an important step, but not the final one”.
The President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, recalled that the original environmental impact report for the southern train expired and a new declaration is now being prepared, expected to be ready in about 18 months.
Clavijo added: “Canarias deserves modern, sustainable infrastructure that serves its people. Talking about the train also means talking about jobs, innovation, economic competitiveness, and reducing emissions. It is a commitment to a model of mobility fit for the 21st century.”
A Project More Than a Century in the Making
The idea of a railway in Tenerife is not new. The island’s first proposal dates back to 1909, when plans were drawn up for a line linking Santa Cruz with Garachico. More than a century later, Tenerife is now closer than ever to seeing trains become a reality.
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