Canillo adds second Uclic bus to handle winter peak

The Comú of Canillo has added a second vehicle to the Uclic demand‑responsive bus service with immediate effect. The reinforcement will remain in place until 1 March to cope with the higher passenger flows of the winter season, driven largely by tourism and ski activity. The extra bus aims to improve service fluidity, shorten waiting times and avoid delays for residents, workers and visitors.

The decision follows positive results from last winter, when a second vehicle was already introduced during peak periods. Uclic has recorded steady user growth in recent months and is presented by local authorities as a flexible, sustainable alternative for internal travel across the parish. Upgrades to the mobile app and revisions to timetables and stops have helped optimise routes and journey times while maintaining high user satisfaction.

In 2024 the Uclic service carried 29,722 passengers. January was the busiest month with 4,308 users, followed by December (3,270) and March (2,929). The lowest‑use months were October, May, June and September, each with fewer than 2,000 users. Vehicles on the service completed 25,900 trips and covered 101,400 kilometres. Compared with a conventional fixed‑route system, that represented an estimated saving of 39,500 km — a reduction equivalent to about 8,700 kg of CO2.

The most frequent connections run between Canillo and El Tarter, and demand has also risen in the Ransol area. Around 60% of riders are permanent residents, 30% temporary residents and 10% tourists. Trip purposes are chiefly work (69.2%), followed by administrative errands (15.4%), school journeys (11.5%) and tourism (3.8%).

“With the addition of the second bus this winter, Canillo reaffirms its commitment to more sustainable and efficient mobility, reducing private‑car use and facilitating internal travel quickly and comfortably,” said Cònsol major Jordi Alcobé. The Comú expects the reinforcement to ensure an agile, reliable service throughout the peak weeks of the season.