Titsa is putting on an extra 20,000 places on its buses on 7 and 8 September to help people get to and from the Fiestas de El Socorro in Güímar.
The additional services are being introduced to cope with the expected increase in passengers during the traditional Bajada and Subida de la Virgen, while encouraging people to leave the car at home and use public transport.
Last year, Titsa carried 14,865 passengers as part of the special operation, so there is clearly plenty of demand when the festivities get going.
Special Line 530 to El Socorro
The main addition will be special line 530, running between Güímar Bus Station and El Socorro on both days.
On Monday 7 September, the day of the Bajada, the service will operate approximately from 4:15am until 9:00pm.
On Tuesday 8 September, for the Subida, buses will run from around 8:00am until 9:00pm.
The regular line 120, connecting Santa Cruz with Güímar via Caletillas, Candelaria and Puertito de Güímar, will also receive additional services during the early hours of the 7th.
Between 4:30am and 9:00am, the service will operate between Puertito and Güímar, reaching Calle Rigoberto Díaz Melero. On both 7 and 8 September, it will also serve El Socorro in both directions.
Of last year’s passengers, 4,595 used the special 530, while 10,270 travelled on line 120.
More Services From Across the South-East
Other routes will also be adjusted or reinforced to make it easier to reach Güímar from different parts of south-east Tenerife.
Line 033 will have two additional services on 7 September. One will leave from Fasnia, El Escobonal and El Tablado at 5:20am, while another will depart from La Sombrera, Fasnia and El Escobonal at 5:50am, both heading for Güímar.
Line 121, which connects Candelaria, La Viuda, El Socorro, Polígono de Güímar, La Hidalga, Arafo and Güímar Bus Station, will continue operating to its usual timetable.
There will also be a special bus stop in El Socorro for lines 530 and 120. Stop 8094 El Socorro will be out of service, while the stops used by lines 120 and 121 will remain operational for their normal services.
Traffic Restrictions Will Affect Some Routes
The festivities also mean traffic restrictions, so a couple of routes will have to take the scenic route, whether they like it or not.
Line 032 will change its route on Monday 7 September because of the closure of Avenida Obispo Pérez Cáceres. Buses travelling to and from Güímar Bus Station will use the TF-28, La Hidalga and TF-281.
Line 035, on its 6:15am service, will divert from the TF-28 via the TF-61, TF-1 and TF-281, returning to its usual route at 8:15am.
Tenerife’s Mobility Department says the aim is to provide a service that is practical and efficient during one of Güímar’s busiest celebrations, while making it easier for people to get to El Socorro without relying on their cars.
With 20,000 extra places available, the advice is fairly simple: if you’re heading to El Socorro, check the bus options before setting off. It should save you a lot of hassle.