Gran Canaria train project takes a major step forward
Sixteen years after the idea of a railway for Gran Canaria was revived, the long-discussed project to connect Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the island’s south has taken a significant step towards becoming reality.
The Government of the Canary Islands, the Spanish State, and the Gran Canaria Cabildo have signed an agreement that lays the groundwork for a formal agreement and financial plan to fund the train.
The proposed line would run from the capital through Telde and the airport to the main tourist resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, aiming to relieve heavy congestion on the GC-1 motorway.
The signing ceremony brought together leading political figures, including the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; Minister for Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres; Secretary of State for Sustainable Transport, José Antonio Santano; the Canary Islands Minister for Public Works, Pablo Rodríguez; and the President of the Gran Canaria Cabildo, Antonio Morales, alongside local representatives.
Clavijo described the framework as “laying the foundations for a project that represents sustainability, modernity, and territorial cohesion. The train is much more than infrastructure: it is an opportunity to transform the way we move, improve quality of life, and ensure future generations inherit a greener, more connected archipelago.”
Pablo Rodríguez highlighted that this was the first time the Spanish Ministry of Transport had given clear support to a Canarian railway scheme, calling it “a turning point in the history of mobility in the islands.”
The Cabildo has already set aside €16 million to begin compulsory land purchases and stressed that the next step will be to secure funding in Spain’s national budget to start construction. “The train will bring order, capacity, and reduce cars on the roads,” said Cabildo President Morales.
Confirmed viability and next stages
The project has already passed economic and environmental checks and is considered vital for the island’s future. Under the agreement, the Ministry of Transport will make sure the plans meet European standards, which could help unlock EU funding. The Cabildo will draw up the technical plans and permits, while the Canary Islands Government will coordinate the project with existing roads and other transport systems.
A special commission will also be created to monitor progress as the agreement will last for two years, with the option to extend if needed.
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