Simple words but ones which sum up the determination of the Tenerife Cabildo to see the ambitious ‘Train for the South’ project up and running.
Carlos Alonso, the vice-president and councillor responsible for the Economy and Competitiveness, confidently answered my question about the train for the south becoming a reality.
Carlos Alonso, the vice-president and councillor responsible for the Economy and Competitiveness, confidently answered my question about the train for the south becoming a reality. He spoke without hesitation, leaving no doubt in his voice.
Sr. had also expressed similar confidence a few days earlier. Alonso visited Los Cristianos where a public exhibition was held to provide details of the south train project to the public, locals, and tourists. He then had a meeting with businessmen and women, many of whom were surprised.
The press has been reporting on the multi-million euro scheme for years (estimated overall cost of about 1,700 million), but its magnitude still leaves onlookers in awe.
The south train project is a massive undertaking, possibly the largest in Tenerife’s history, even bigger than the creation of the motorway network or the south airport, both of which revolutionized Tenerife. The south train project is a massive undertaking, possibly the largest in Tenerife’s history, even bigger than the creation of the motorway network or the south airport, both of which revolutionized Tenerife. It is not a matter of if, but when.
The south train project is a massive undertaking, possibly the largest in Tenerife’s history, even bigger than the creation of the motorway network or the south airport, both of which revolutionized Tenerife. According to Sr. Alonso, the south train will have a similar impact.
Supporters of a train service in Tenerife ask, what would the island do without it? Would it stagnate or become clogged with traffic? Would the divide between the opportunities in the north and south persist? Would people be prohibited from traveling for work, education, health, or leisure?
Sr. Alonso is aware of the environmental arguments against the train. Green campaigners argue that it is unnecessary and will spoil the unique Tenerife landscape, its rustic and agricultural land, and its flora and fauna.
However, he believes that we have to think about the wider picture. The railway will allow Tenerife to have more opportunities. There will no longer be inequality in access to healthcare, employment, or transportation to La Laguna University. Our goal is to create a sustainable mobility system that allows you to travel freely throughout the island.
The exhibition at Los Cristianos generated 1,200 enquiries, suggestions, and comments in just one week. It is scheduled to tour other locations, including San Isidro, a growing population area that will be served by one of the ultra-modern stations, hopefully from 2018 if all goes to plan. These stations will have an environmentally friendly design.
According to Sr. Alonso, one of the most frequently asked questions is about the location of the station in Los Cristianos. There has always been a debate about whether it should be located outside the town near the motorway or inside. It is an absolute necessity for Sr. Alonso that the station is central and accessible for people on foot.
The chosen location is along Avenida Chayofita, which is not far from the existing bus station and near the swimming pool. The bus station will be relocated to an ultra-modern underground station interchange that will include bus stops, taxi ranks, and an underground car park with space for 900 vehicles on three floors. The bus station will be relocated to an ultra-modern underground station interchange that will include bus stops, taxi ranks, and an underground car park with space for 900 vehicles on three floors. The bus station will be relocated to an ultra-modern underground station interchange that will include bus stops, taxi ranks, and an underground car park with space for 900 vehicles on three floors. The interchange will have connections between both sides of the avenue.
Los Cristianos is expected to handle 25,000 passengers daily with two tracks and two side platforms.
The rail station’s location within Los Cristianos was a point of contention due to potential traffic congestion, but Sr. Alonso stated that this issue is already being addressed. One advantage of the rail station is the removal of buses from the main roundabout near the Apolo Centre.
The train of the south will have seven stations: the main interchange at Santa Cruz, Santa María del Mar Anaza, Candelaria, San Isidro, Tenerife South airport, Los Cristianos, and Costa Adeje. The train time will be 39 minutes from start to finish, with just seven minutes from Los Cristianos to the south airport.
During rush hour, trains will run every 15 minutes and can carry up to 450 passengers, reaching a speed of 220km an hour.
Exhibition visitors were surprised by some of the statistics presented. The route will cover 80km, with over 65% of it being above ground. There will be nine tunnels, 12 false tunnels, and 33 viaducts, accounting for a total of 22.1km and 8.3km, respectively. There will be nine tunnels, 12 false tunnels, and 33 viaducts, accounting for a total of 22.1km and 8.3km, respectively.
Green campaigners are opposed to the project, arguing that it will ruin the landscape, especially protected areas like the historic Guaza mountain. Green campaigners are opposed to the project, arguing that it will ruin the landscape, especially protected areas like the historic Guaza mountain. They plan to continue challenging the project. Green campaigners are opposed to the project, arguing that it will ruin the landscape, especially protected areas like the historic Guaza mountain.
I asked Alonso if he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to protect the island’s heritage. He says it is, though work is still progressing on some elements. For example, the original route planned for the Guaza mountain area was changed to minimize the impact on the protected area. The tunnel was initially planned to go right through the mountain, but now it will move around it and go underground 500 meters before its curtilage.
The project will be a massive undertaking. However, the physical construction will not affect tourism or be intrusive. Canary firms have already been involved in the design and pre-planning, and they will be used again whenever possible during the building work.
The train will also help the environment by making people less dependent on their fuel-guzzling cars. Alonso believes that Tenerife’s transportation system should prioritize sustainability by utilizing trains, buses, and taxis instead of private cars.
The type of train to be used has not yet been decided, but Alonso confirms that Germany is willing to support the project and provide its high-speed Transrapid magnetic train if Tenerife chooses it.
Some skeptics doubt that the project will ever be realized due to its high cost, but Alonso disagrees. The Spanish government and the private and public financial sector have continuously shown commitment to the planned start of the south train network in 2012.
In the past, people doubted the construction of the south airport or the island’s motorway network due to physical and financial challenges, but they became a reality. Therefore, as Alonso concludes, the south train network will also become a reality.