Intercity transport in Gran Canaria is entering a phase of intense competition. Routes to Maspalomas and Mogán, considered the true treasure of the concessionary market due to their high profitability linked to tourism, are the target of new rivals threatening Salcai's (Global) historical dominance.
The French company Keolis already has an institutional director in the hands of a well-known businessman from Paris in Spain, who was once in the running for the public transport company of Las Palmas in a joint venture with Satocan during Jerónimo Saavedra's time as mayor.
The French firm's interest lies in closing the gap with the future Gran Canaria train. The need for European funding gives French capital the financial muscle and support from Brussels, given that the Canary Islands enjoy French support through the French Overseas Dominions (ORs).
Adding to Alsa's offensive is the emergence of Ontime, which, following its acquisition of Socibus, has become a leading national player with ambitions in the Canary Islands.
The market is also closely watching the Portuguese company Barraqueiro, with 4.500 buses and 9.000 employees, which already competes in Galicia and plans to expand into Morocco. Along with it, the major French groups—Keolis (SNCF), RATP, and Transdev—appear to be strong contenders for a presence in Spain and, by extension, on the islands.
Among the candidates are also Spanish regional groups with national and international aspirations: the Galician company Mombus, which is preparing a large base of operations with a fleet of hydrogen and electric vehicles; the Valencian company Vectalia, with a strong investment base; and the Catalan company Moventia, which is seeking growth outside of Catalonia. They are joined by Globalvia, which gained a foothold in pneumatic transport after taking joint control of the British company Go-Ahead.
On this board, the battle won't be for all the routes: the truly strategic ones are those connecting Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the tourist south, as well as the airport, where the constant flow of travelers guarantees high occupancy rates and superior margins. Whoever controls Maspalomas and Mogán will control the economic heart of intercity transport in the Canary Islands.
