The Community of Madrid has announced the renaming of the stations Los Espartales and Sierra de Guadalupe, which will be called Los Espartales – Coliseum and Sierra de Guadalupe – Universidad, respectively.
The Ministry of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid has approved the renaming of two Metro stations with the aim of helping travellers identify their proximity to relevant facilities. The station Los Espartales, on Line 12, will be renamed Los Espartales – Coliseum as it is the closest to the Getafe Club de Fútbol stadium, while Sierra de Guadalupe, on Line 1, will be called Sierra de Guadalupe – Universidad due to its closeness to the South Campus of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM).
The name change for Los Espartales will take effect with the start of the football season, according to the regional government. In addition, the station will feature special decorations designed by Getafe CF in collaboration with the club's Fans Federation, which will include identifying elements of the team and its supporters, such as the lyrics of the club's anthem on the access stairs.
In the case of Sierra de Guadalupe, the new name will come into effect in the coming weeks. This station, which opened to the public in March 1999, records 6.8 million annual travellers, while Los Espartales, inaugurated in 2003, exceeds 1.7 million users per year.
The name modifications involve updating the signage of the network and trains, as well as the announcements at stops and the subway maps. Work to incorporate the new names at the stations will begin the night before they come into effect.
This is not the first time that Madrid Metro has renamed stations. Metropolitano was renamed Vicente Aleixandre to avoid confusion with Estadio Metropolitano, and the former Atocha was renamed Estación del Arte due to its proximity to the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía. The most recent change was Atocha Renfe, which became simply Atocha after the liberalisation of the railway sector.
For the residents of Getafe, the new name Los Espartales – Coliseum reinforces the neighbourhood's identity with the local football club, while users of Sierra de Guadalupe will see their connection with UPM reflected. The name change aims to improve traveller orientation and raise awareness of these emblematic spaces in the region.
You may also like
