Lola García: “I hope we can issue the transport tender before year‑end”

The president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García, highlighted the upcoming tender for inter‑urban transport on the island after a very long procedure, convinced that the new service will mark a turning point for mobility and the quality of life of residents.

García revealed that the Cabildo plans to allocate €6 million from the 2026 budget as the initial funding for a service that, for the first time in the island’s history, will be put out to tender. The concession will be processed through an open procedure, allowing any interested company to bid. The tender was originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, but administrative delays have pushed it back. The dossier has now returned from Europe and has been forwarded to the Ministry of Transport, which must issue the mandatory report before the tender can be launched.

“I will ask the Canary Islands minister, Ángel Víctor Torres, to accelerate the process so the service can be awarded as soon as possible,” García said.

The new contract is expected to bring better frequencies, expanded routes, timetables adapted to both tourism and residents, a cleaner fleet, and reduced waiting times. Demand for transport has risen thanks to the free transport voucher, which has been a success, although the surge in passengers has strained the current service.

García also noted that the **State contributes €2.1 million service—a sum that has not yet been received—while the Cabildo is investing €11 million of its own funds. She expects the new contract to be operational during 2026 and warns that urgent decisions are needed to avoid service degradation. As she put it:

“The first and last responsibility lies with the head, and the head is me.”

School Dropout and Transport

García firmly denied that school dropout on the island is caused by deficiencies in inter‑urban transport, countering criticism from the island’s Education Director, Yurena Pérez. She clarified that inter‑urban transport is the Cabildo’s responsibility, while school transport falls under the Education Ministry.

She recalled sending a letter to the Education Minister in June to discuss school‑year planning, but she has yet to receive a response. García criticized the regional administration for failing to plan educational needs and necessary infrastructure in advance, noting that this is the first time the Gran Tarajal Vocational Training Center has been omitted from planning.

“We need new centers closer to the population to avoid long commutes, and we do not want to revert to makeshift classrooms,” she warned.

García also highlighted the situation of students from the CIFP Majada Marcial, who were transferred to the Technological Park without a transport solution. She emphasized that the Cabildo has been ceding that space for ten years while awaiting new facilities.

“Education is the engine of society,” García asserted, calling for more communication and dialogue with regional authorities.

Socio‑Health Infrastructure: Mental Health Residence and Gran Tarajal

García reported progress on long‑awaited socio‑health projects:

• The Mental Health Residence is expected to be operational before the end of the year.
• A therapeutic pool will open in November.
• Earthworks for the Gran Tarajal Residence and Day Center will begin next week.

Regarding environmental and territorial matters, the Zurita waste‑treatment complex continues after a decade of stagnation. The government will invest €17 million to finally deliver an all‑in‑one plant for the island.

She also mentioned the relocation of the El Charco power plant and recalled that the President of the Popular Party, Jéssica de León, recently invited the Cabildo to submit observations on the proposed electricity‑network plan—a process the Cabildo already completed in 2023.

“We have always pushed… but those who have suffered are the neighbors of El Charco,” García concluded.