Residents and visitors of Parque La Reina, in the south of Tenerife, have issued a stark warning about the serious safety hazards at their local bus stops, describing the act of simply getting on or off a bus as “putting your life at risk.”
The issue centres on two bus stops used daily by locals, workers, and tourists alike. One is located along the TF-655 road connecting Las Chafiras to Guaza, while the other sits perilously close to the TF-1 motorway, heading towards Los Cristianos.
Mariana, a long-time resident, explained the daily danger to Diario de Avisos: “People are getting off the bus trembling, using their phone torches just to cross the road in the dark. A young woman was hit by a car once; it’s a miracle it hasn’t happened again.”
Speeding Traffic and No Streetlights
The TF-655 stop is particularly dangerous at night due to a complete lack of lighting and a blind hill that makes it impossible to see oncoming cars, many of which travel at high speeds.
Residents say they’ve been asking for lighting and basic safety features like a shaded shelter for years, with no action taken.
Flying Stones and Close Calls Near the TF-1
The second stop, just metres from the TF-1 motorway, poses different risks. Mariana recalled a recent incident: “I was sitting at the shelter when a stone, kicked up by a passing car, hit me in the chest. It could have easily hit my face.”
Getting to this stop is no easier. Locals have to walk up a steep incline, pass under a bridge, and cross an unmarked section of road, all without pavements, traffic signals, or ramps for those with reduced mobility.
Residents Plead: “Just a Small Detour for a Big Difference”
What locals are asking for is simple: for some buses, like the popular 483 route, to make a small diversion into Parque La Reina, stopping at the roundabout to safely pick up and drop off passengers.
“It would take two minutes, just a short turn-off, and it could save lives,” Mariana insisted. “We’ve been asking for this for years, and nothing’s changed.”
With rising summer temperatures, the trek to the motorway is especially hard on elderly residents. “I recently helped a 76-year-old woman. She was exhausted, nearly dragging her feet. It’s heartbreaking to see,” said Mariana.
As both a residential area and a commuter hub, Parque La Reina sees a mix of residents, workers, and holidaymakers pass through each day. Locals are now appealing to public transport authorities and the Cabildo to finally act, before the next near-miss becomes fatal.
