Visitors to Santa Cruz de Tenerife could soon have more options for exploring the city, as plans for a second tourist bus route move a step closer.
Responsibility for the city’s sightseeing bus service has now been transferred to the Employment, Trade and Tourism Department, headed by Carmen Pérez, who will oversee the future development of the service.
New department takes charge
The change follows an agreement published in the Official Provincial Bulletin, giving the Tourism Department responsibility for managing the tourist bus concession operated by UTE City Sightseeing Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Among the department’s responsibilities will be approving package deals offered by the operator, handling company requests, overseeing any sanction procedures and, perhaps most significantly, deciding whether to approve the implementation of a second sightseeing bus line.
A service that returned after the pandemic
Santa Cruz’s hop-on hop-off tourist bus service was awarded to UTE City Sightseeing Santa Cruz de Tenerife in February 2025.
The consortium includes City Sightseeing España and Compañía Hispalense de Tranvías, with the contract formally signed in June 2025 before the service began operating in August.
Managed initially through the Santa Cruz Development Society, the service marked the return of the city’s tourist buses after they disappeared during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The buses once again allow visitors to explore many of Santa Cruz’s main attractions, with passengers able to get on and off at designated stops throughout the city.
Expansion still awaits approval
While a second route has been proposed, it is not yet confirmed.
Carmen Pérez and her department will now decide whether the operator’s plans meet the necessary requirements before any expansion goes ahead.
If approved, the additional line could offer tourists greater coverage of the city and potentially improve connections to more attractions.
Legal challenge continues
The original contract has not been without controversy.
Two companies, Sevirama S.L. and Julia Travel S.L., challenged the tender process through the courts.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the sightseeing bus service began operating as scheduled and continues to run while the case is resolved.
For now, visitors can continue using the existing service while awaiting news on whether Santa Cruz will soon gain a second tourist bus route.