Campaign to Ban Standing Passengers on Tenerife Buses

A Tenerife-based union is leading a significant campaign aimed at changing national transport laws to prohibit passengers from standing on buses that travel along motorways and dual carriageways. This initiative is not just about improving comfort; it is fundamentally about enhancing safety for all passengers.

Union’s Initiative for Safety

The Sindicalistas de Base union, which represents workers at TITSA (Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife), has launched a compelling initiative titled “No more standing at 100 kilometres per hour.” This campaign seeks to align Spanish regulations with those of other European nations, where standing passengers are already prohibited on high-speed routes. The union emphasizes that this change is crucial for ensuring the safety of passengers, especially given the high speeds at which these buses operate.

Legal Loophole and Risks

While the sight of passengers standing on buses has become less common in the Canary Islands, the union points out that Article 48 of the national transport law still permits this practice under certain conditions. These conditions include scenarios where buses are equipped with handrails or designated standing zones. However, the union warns that such provisions leave passengers vulnerable in the event of a sudden stop or collision, which could lead to serious injuries or worse.

Representatives from the Güímar branch of the union have voiced their concerns, stating, “It’s an outdated and unsafe regulation. In most EU countries, this is already banned for good reason.” They argue that the risks associated with standing passengers far outweigh any perceived benefits, particularly on routes where high speeds are the norm.

Building Political Support

To advance their cause, the union has proactively engaged with several political parties, including PSOE, Nueva Canarias (NC), and Agrupación Socialista Gomera (ASG). They have also reached out to local and regional authorities, such as the Cabildo de Tenerife, to garner support for their initiative. The union plans to hold further discussions with the Partido Popular (PP) through Güímar’s mayor, Luisi Castro, in hopes of building a broad coalition in favor of the proposed changes.

The ultimate goal is to create a non-binding parliamentary proposal (proposición no de ley) that would be presented to the Spanish Congress, leading to an official amendment of Article 48. This legislative change would not only enhance passenger safety but also bring Spain’s regulations in line with those of its European counterparts.

Although there have been no major accidents reported in relation to standing passengers on buses, union members caution that it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs if the current regulations remain unchanged. “We don’t want to wait until a tragedy happens,” they said, underscoring the urgency of their campaign.

In addition to political outreach, the union is leveraging social media campaigns and conducting public surveys to raise awareness and gather support from commuters and safety advocates. The movement is gaining traction among those who believe that Spain’s roads should reflect the safety standards upheld in countries like Germany, France, the UK, and Portugal.

Key Points

• The Sindicalistas de Base union is campaigning to ban standing passengers on buses on motorways in Tenerife.
• The initiative is called “No more standing at 100 kilometres per hour.”
• Article 48 of the national transport law currently allows standing under certain conditions.
• The union has met with political parties and local authorities to gain support for their proposal.
• The campaign aims to align Spanish regulations with European safety standards.
• Support is growing among commuters and safety advocates for the proposed changes.