The Tenerife Cabildo has announced the implementation of a BUS-VAO lane with ITS technology on the TF-5 motorway, specifically between Guamasa and Los Rodeos Airport, one of the areas most affected by daily congestion in the metropolitan zone.
This initiative, part of the newly approved Tenerife Sustainable Mobility Plan, aims to prioritise public transport and high-occupancy vehicles, whilst streamlining traffic flow in one of the island’s main bottlenecks.
The island president, Rosa Dávila, emphasised that this project represents a decisive step towards a “more sustainable, efficient, and agreed-upon” transport model, promoting car-sharing and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
The BUS-VAO lane will be complemented by other planned interventions in the north and the metropolitan area, such as the TF-5 variant to improve access to the airport and the reactivation of the Gorgorana tunnel, which will connect the TF-13 with Mesa Mota to ease pressure on La Laguna.
A €5 billion plan to transform mobility
The Tenerife Sustainable Mobility Plan will require a historic investment of over €5 billion between 2025 and 2035, with participation from both the Canary Islands Government and the State. According to the Cabildo, this is the largest transport strategy ever launched on the island, conceived not merely as a series of infrastructure projects, but as a comprehensive transformation of mobility.
Highlighted initiatives include the closure of the island ring in three key segments — San Juan-Icod, Los Realejos-San Juan, and El Tanque-Santiago del Teide — which will enhance north-south connectivity without solely relying on the TF-5. Improvements are also planned for the TF-1 and the TF-5, incorporating underground sections and realignments in high-density areas.
Another cornerstone of the plan is the reorganisation of public bus transport, featuring a more flexible network, increased frequencies, and improved coordination between routes. Railway projects are also being revived: the South Train, which will connect Santa Cruz with Adeje in its first phase up to Tenerife South Airport, and the North Train, linking Santa Cruz with Los Realejos, with the potential for extension to Icod de los Vinos.
A commitment to sustainability
The Cabildo asserts that this plan will help reduce traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and advance the decarbonisation of transport, prioritising public transport and sustainable travel over intensive use of private cars.
“We are witnessing the largest investment in mobility in Tenerife’s history, marking the beginning of a profound shift towards a more connected and environmentally friendly island,” stated Rosa Dávila.
