Cheap bus pass for residents

[bedouin]

Fuerteventura is the second Canary Island after Tenerife to launch the Resident Canary Bonus. For only 20 euros a month, people living in the island will be able to make unlimited bus trips.  The initiative is designed to maximise use of public transport and, through this, to reduce the use of cars.

[bedouin]

Residents only.

[Captain Sensible]

Visitors to the island can still buy a bono card from the bus driver and top it up in multiples of 5€ from a minimum of 15€.  The card gives 5% discount on all journeys - not as good as the 30% it was until a couple of years ago.

Residents can still apply for a 30% discount card through the Cabildo offices.

[the_jg]

The non-residents' card is still worth having for ease of use as well as the small discount. No messing about with change when boarding is worth it if you are carrying shopping or a beach bag.

[Spitfire58]

Would be handy to have the Empadron then (with travel discount) assuming this would cover getting this card. We got our first Empadron issued when we were out last visit. The guy asked if it was for “paperwork only” or did we want the travel one, even though he knew we were not full time residents

[Spitfire58]

Apparently the main function of the Empadron (I have been told, by an actual resident who arranges people’s all the time) is to facilitate the council with funds from Spanish central government to run the area.
As I say, we have had our house for approx two years but only signed up for the Empadron in September this year.
No problems getting it (apart from stops at all the different desks/depts) in Antigua council offices.
Guy upstairs who actually issues the certificate was very helpful ??

[Captain Sensible]

The Empadronamiento (Padron) is the register that the local council hold.  You should register on this to ensure that the council gets funding for local services from central government.
The Police come and check that you are there, and they sometimes do a revisit to check.

The Padron for travel is for residents to receive discount when they travel to other islands or to mainland Spain.  This has to be updated at the council office in Antigua/Caleta.  It costs 50 cents.  I believe that in La Oliva it can be renewed online.

The Residencia certificate/card is different.  You have to apply through the Police Station in Puerto del Rosario.  It proves that you live here full-time.

The residencia has to be shown to get the 30% discount card for travelling on the buses.

It's not possible to re-charge any of the bus cards online.  It has to be done through the bus driver.  The 5% bus card is transferable, so anyone can use it and there is no time limit on it.  The 30% discount card has a photo of the holder and is not transferable.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Yes, the Ayuntamientos are normally happy for anyone who 'lives' here to register on the Padron, even if you only live here for short periods of time. Once you are on the Padron you can apply for the Travel Empadron.

However, the 75% discount for travel on ferries/planes within Spain and the islands is meant for permanent residents and the small print when you book online states that you will need to be on the Registro de Extranajeros (alluded to by many as Residencia) and have a Travel Empadron.

Just seen the Captain's post - yes, you can renew your empadron online in La Oliva district.

If anyone wants help with registering to use the online system in La Oliva I'm happy to help them (you need to register on the Padron in the office first though) - new users then need to obtain a Digital Certificate and existing users will need one as well shortly - I've worked my way through the Spanish digital cert system and happy to share my experience.

[Captain Sensible]

Let's go back to the buses.

I understand that for non-residents there's no photo on the Bono Card so you can share it with other family members.

My question is: Can we both board the bus the same time having only one card or the driver will kick us out?

Or let's say a family of five on holiday trying to get to Corralejo buying only one card at the airport. Will they be allowed to use only one card? I can see the saving here. All of them using only one card, not buying five cards each with min. 15 euro credit.

Yes, you can board the bus at the same time and use the same card.  As many people as there are in the group can use it.  You tell the driver your destination and put the card on the electronic pad in front of him/her.

[Captain Sensible]

The card (which costs 2€ from the driver) is valid 'forever'