The Cabildo of Lanzarote has put out to tender the transport service using shuttle buses and the surveillance service, access control, environmental informants, and maintenance of the Los Volcanes Natural Park. This is a decisive step towards implementing a comprehensive system for managing public use that protects the environment, guarantees safety, and improves the visitor experience throughout the year.
The contract is divided into two distinct lots; the first is for sustainable transport via shuttle buses, and the second focuses on surveillance, access control, environmental information, maintenance, cleaning, and service coordination. This model, co-financed with FDCAN funds, has a total base bidding budget of 2,543,627.07 euros, divided between Lot 1 (1,049,901.69 €) and Lot 2 (1,493,725.38 €). The initial duration of the contract will be one year, with the possibility of annual extension up to a maximum of four years.
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted that "this is being put out to tender after the success of the pilot project carried out last April during Holy Week, which made it possible to verify the effectiveness of regulating access to the Park's main trails."
“This step allows us to move towards an intelligent model of public use that reconciles the conservation of the landscape with the enjoyment of those who visit us. We are aware of the enormous environmental value of Los Volcanes, and that is why we are implementing a pioneering system in the Canary Islands that regulates access, reduces pressure on the environment, and puts sustainability at the center of management.”
Sustainable transport via shuttle buses
The first phase includes the implementation of a circular transport service using shuttle buses, originating from the Mancha Blanca car park, Tinajo, and with stops at the entrances to Caldera Blanca, Tinguatón, Montaña del Cuervo, and Montaña Colorada. The service will operate every day of the year, with a minimum schedule from 10:00 to 18:00 hours, with an estimated frequency of 30 minutes and two vehicles with at least 55 seats each, thereby reducing private traffic and emissions.
"Thanks to the success of the pilot test, we have been able to design an agile, sustainable mobility system that respects the actual capacity of the space. Lanzarote deserves intelligent solutions that harmonize tourist enjoyment with the protection of the territory," said the Councilor for Landscape and Food Sovereignty, Samuel Martín.
The Vice-President of the Cabildo and head of the Area of Planning and Project Coordination, María Jesús Tovar, emphasized that "in the area we are clear that the FDCAN funds should have a positive impact on our island, so we are more than proud to be able to promote sustainable transport and also safeguard one of the most beautiful spaces in Lanzarote."
Surveillance, environmental informants, and maintenance
The second batch includes access control and hourly counts, guaranteeing compliance with the carrying capacity of each trail. To this end, surveillance personnel will be available in the areas with the highest traffic and control points will be installed.
In addition, environmental educators are incorporated, tasked with guiding visitors, explaining the rules of use, and promoting respect for the environment. The service is reinforced with maintenance and cleaning operatives to restore the terrain, maintain signage, eliminate invasive species, collect waste, and keep the trails in optimal condition. All of this is coordinated by a technical project manager who will supervise the execution of the service and propose improvements.
Samuel Martín pointed out that "this contract allows us to better protect one of the most fragile and emblematic spaces on the island, but also to generate quality and specialized employment. We will have 3 bus drivers, 6 people for surveillance and access control, 4 environmental informants, 3 maintenance operators, 3 cleaning operators and a project coordinator, that is, a team prepared to guarantee the conservation, safety and proper use of the Los Volcanes Natural Park."
For his part, the mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín, positively assessed the initiative and emphasized that “this service is essential to organize the flow of visitors in Mancha Blanca and on the main trails. Tinajo welcomes this action by the Cabildo, which protects our environment and at the same time facilitates responsible and safe public use.”
This service is part of the Public Use Strategy of the Los Volcanes Natural Park and the new island model for the management of protected spaces promoted by the Cabildo de Lanzarote. A pioneering system in the Canary Islands that combines sustainability, collective mobility, landscape conservation, and improvement of the tourist experience, with FDCAN financing that guarantees its continuity over time.
Interested companies may submit their bids until November 3, 2025, via the link
