Each future train destined for Madrid Metro Line 6 will have a system allowing uninterrupted transit between six connected carriages, panoramic frontal visibility and a maximum capacity of up to 1,385 passengers, an increase of 17% compared to previous models. This development, which includes recycled materials and energy optimization, is part of the modernization process addressed in the recent infrastructure renewal, as detailed by the media that published the information.
Line 6 operations fully resumed on Saturday, December 20, after more than seven months of partial closure that affected its 28 stations and the 23.5 kilometers of its circuit. According to media reports, almost 430,000 people use this route every day, so the goal was set to restore passenger flow before the start of the Christmas period, when travel volumes tend to increase. The media recalled that the western and eastern sections – between Moncloa and Méndez Álvaro and between Moncloa and Legazpi, respectively – remained temporarily closed, although both areas resumed operations earlier than originally planned due to the pressure of growing demand.
Technical interventions on the road were one of the main focuses of the reform. According to the media, the traditional gravel system was replaced with a concrete base, which entailed the removal of 35,200 cubic meters of material and the renewal of 86,057 meters of road. This method allowed the introduction of electric welding techniques that reduce the risk of incidents related to temperature fluctuations in the first hours of daily operation. In addition, 154,662 guide and fastening parts were replaced, increasing construction safety and extending the service life of the infrastructure.
Regarding the future safety of platforms, the media reported on the conversion of stations to automatic platform screen doors, which began with the renovation of 7,000 square meters of platforms, the installation of 3,990 pillars and the provision of 7,700 meters of temporary steps. From January next year, the integration of more than 1,600 automatic doors and final steps is planned, distributed across the 70 platforms along the route. Each platform has 24 doors that only open when the train comes to a complete stop. This will separate the traffic and waiting areas to increase the protection of subway users.
The media also stated that the execution of these tasks was planned mainly at night in order to limit the negative impact on the usual flow of passengers. From Sunday to Thursday the closing time for church services will be brought forward to 11:00 p.m. and is supported by the operation of free buses until 1:30 a.m., while on Fridays and Saturdays the timetable remains unchanged.
Among the technological improvements for energy efficiency, the media highlighted the renovation of the thirteen substations, which can now supply up to 1,500 volts of direct current along the line. This condition represents the basis for the operation of the latest generation trains and allows an estimated reduction in electricity consumption of up to 30%. When the new trains – manufactured by CAF and expected to enter service in mid-2026 – energy savings will increase by almost a further 20% as they benefit from the regenerative braking of these advanced convoys.
The new units will achieve an average speed of up to 110 kilometers per hour and will be able to reduce transit intervals to just two minutes during peak times. In addition to the elimination of the driver’s cab, which provides more space for passengers, the trains will have large front windows through which one can observe the route. The media highlighted that future training will thus enable a smoother travel experience and more open spaces, in response to the mobility challenges arising from the increasing number of users.
In terms of connectivity and accessibility, the media pointed to the installation of a new real-time communication network between the trains and the system infrastructure, allowing travelers to be aware of the status of the service at any time. The introduction of an induction loop system aimed at people with hearing aids expands the coverage of relevant information and optimizes the accessibility of notices for all users.
The interventions detailed by the media represent an improvement program aimed at bringing Line 6 to the same level as other metro systems of international importance, both in terms of operational efficiency and in terms of safety standards and energy sustainability. The strategies implemented aim to respond to the dynamics of urban growth and the constant change in public mobility habits that characterize the Spanish capital, and to ensure services adapted to the changing expectations and needs of urban transport users.
About The Author
