The Cabildo of Lanzarote issued a resolution on Friday establishing minimum services amid the announced public transport strike for the 15th and 16th of September. This measure directly affects the employees of Arrecife Bus SL, the company responsible for the service, and allows for 70% coverage of scheduled trips.
The strike has been called by the Citizens’ Services Federation of CCOO Canarias and will subsequently include intermittent stoppages during specific time slots: from 06:00 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00. According to the resolution, these disruptions will continue “until the conflict” between the staff and the company is resolved.
During the strike days, the Cabildo assures that priority routes will be guaranteed. These include connections to hospitals, transport stations, and educational centres, as well as services adapted to peak hours to prevent congestion on the island’s transport network.
Moreover, it has been stipulated that vulnerable groups, such as individuals with reduced mobility, will have access to transport in safe conditions. This provision aims to assist those who are entirely dependent on bus services for their daily travel.
The resolution from the Transport and Mobility Department emphasises that the measure aims to “respect the appropriate constitutional balance between conflicting rights”, referring to the workers’ right to strike and the citizens’ right to basic mobility services.
Minimising Impact on Citizens
The insular institution highlights that the primary objective is to reduce negative consequences for the population. Public transport in Lanzarote, heavily used by students, workers, and tourists, is considered a strategic service for the economic and social life of the island.
For this reason, the Cabildo is maintaining constant oversight of the situation alongside Arrecife Bus SL, to ensure compliance with the established minimum services and to address any potential incidents that may arise during the protest days.
