The President of the Community of Madrid has seen the first automatic train that will serve on Line 6 of the Metro. The train, which will operate without a driver, will start running in 2027 and marks a milestone in the automation of the network.
The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, visited on Monday the facilities where the first automatic train that will serve on the Line 6 of Madrid's Metro is located. The train, which will operate without a driver, will begin service in 2027 and constitutes the first automated infrastructure of the metropolitan network.
The new train is part of the modernization plan for Madrid's Metro, which aims to progressively automate several lines in the coming years. Line 6, one of the busiest in the network with a circular route connecting districts such as Chamartín, Moncloa-Aravaca, Carabanchel, Usera, Puente de Vallecas, Ciudad Lineal, and Hortaleza, will be the first to incorporate this technology.
A technological leap for the Metro network
The automatic train will allow for increased frequency and reduced waiting times, according to sources from the Transport Department. The automatic driving system, known as CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control), is already used in other European cities such as Paris and Barcelona, and is now coming to Madrid.
The automation of Line 6 will involve an investment of over 100 million euros, according to the same sources. The project includes the adaptation of stations and the installation of platform doors to ensure passenger safety. Work will begin in the coming months and will continue until 2027.
“This train is the first of a new generation that will transform mobility in the region,” the president noted during the visit.
For residents of the districts traversed by Line 6, such as Usera, Villaverde, or Puente de Vallecas, automation will mean improved punctuality and a reduction in breakdowns. Currently, the line transports over 400,000 passengers daily, according to data from Madrid Metro.
Impact on the daily lives of passengers
The removal of the driver will not mean the disappearance of staff on board. The trains will have assistance personnel who will supervise the service and assist passengers in case of incidents. In fact, in the initial phases of automation, the driver will still be present in the cabin to oversee the system.
The Transport Minister, Jorge Rodrigo, explained that automation will allow for a capacity increase of up to 30% during peak hours. This will particularly benefit residents of neighborhoods like Carabanchel and Ciudad Lineal, where demand is higher.
Additionally, the new system will reduce energy consumption by 15% thanks to more efficient driving, according to estimates from the Department. A good piece of news for taxpayers and for the environment.
A long-term automation plan
Line 6 is just the first step. Madrid Metro also plans to automate lines 1, 2, and 3 in the coming years, although without specific dates. Line 6 was chosen for being circular and having high and uniform demand, which facilitates the implementation of the system.
The project is part of the Metro de Madrid Modernization Plan, which is allocated 1.5 billion euros until 2028. Among the planned actions are the renewal of the fleet, improvement of accessibility, and digitalization of the network.
Residents of Moratalaz, Retiro, and Chamberí, also served by Line 6, will notice changes starting in 2027. However, they will need to be patient during the construction, which will cause partial service interruptions in some sections. Metro has announced that diversions and alternative transport will be communicated in advance.
The president concluded the visit by stating that automation is “a commitment to the future of sustainable mobility.” Meanwhile, Madrid residents can start preparing to say goodbye to the driver on Line 6, even if it is a few years away.
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