For visitors to the archipelago, the free buses may seem like a symbol of social efficiency and commitment to sustainable mobility. However, for workers in the south of the island, the reality is much less idyllic.
During rush hour, employees who rely on public transportation to get to their jobs at hotels, restaurants, and tourism companies face a situation more reminiscent of airline overbooking than a public service. Lines 30 and 91, which connect Las Palmas with Maspalomas, are increasingly crowded. Passengers using the free travel pass include unemployed people from the capital, digital nomads, and retirees who, according to some workers, sit in seats for hours without any productive purpose.
“We have to leave two hours earlier than usual to ensure we get to work on time. It's a disaster,” says a cook at a local hotel, who asks to remain anonymous. Transport companies, like Salcai, claim they are doing everything possible to meet demand, but overcrowding persists, and workers' punctuality is compromised.
The phenomenon is not new, but it is intensifying in a context in which the Spanish and Canary Islands governments are seeking to consolidate free transport as a social and anti-inflationary policy measure. The Royal Decree Law approved by the Council of Ministers confirms that the Canary Islands will maintain the 100% discount on buses and trams throughout 2025, in line with current conditions. The ordeal is expected to end on December 31, 2025.
Pablo Rodríguez, Minister of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility for the Canary Islands Government, emphasizes that the measure has increased public transport use by more than 40% and believes it goes beyond a simple anti-inflationary initiative. However, he admits that the cost exceeds initial estimates, exceeding €140 million, which raises doubts about the long-term sustainability of this free service.
For workers and tourists visiting Gran Canaria, the dilemma is palpable: while free buses facilitate access to the island, overcrowding and delays reveal a latent conflict between social policies and labor mobility needs.
