Titsa drivers raise concerns over ageing buses in Tenerife
Several urban buses serving La Laguna are in a state of severe disrepair, according to workers from Tenerife’s public transport company, Titsa, with some of the buses in use dating back to 1999.
Employees have reported multiple issues, including faulty wheelchair ramps, broken buttons, worn-out and unstable seating, and broken air conditioning.
The complaints follow similar concerns raised by workers about the condition of buses in Santa Cruz, but union representative José Francisco González, president of both the La Laguna Committee and Titsa's Intercentre Committee with the MSK Union, said the situation in La Laguna is even worse.
At least six buses currently in service on routes 203, 204, and 206 are affected. One of the most pressing problems, González said, is the continuous vibration during journeys, which has even led to drivers having to take sick leave in some cases.
“These buses are from 1999,” he stated, adding that the lack of available spare parts means they can no longer be properly maintained. In particular, the wheelchair ramps are often unusable, forcing drivers to manually assist passengers with reduced mobility, something especially concerning given the high number of elderly residents in the areas served.
Council Promises Replacement Fleet, But Not Until 2026
Responding to the complaints, La Laguna’s councillor for mobility, Jesús Domingo Galván (Coalición Canaria), admitted that “one or two” buses from 1999 are still in service but insisted not all of them are that old.
He confirmed plans to approve a budget amendment in September to allocate approximately €3.7 million to Titsa for the purchase of seven new buses. However, Galván warned that the manufacturing process only begins once payment has been made, meaning the new fleet likely won't arrive until 2026.
In the meantime, the council is working with Titsa to temporarily reassign newer, lower-floor buses more suited to urban routes. “We're currently negotiating these changes, and I hope to have a solution for both passengers and drivers before mid-August,” Galván said.
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