The Cercanías Madrid network has incorporated its first trains from the Swiss brand Stadler starting this Monday. Renfe has contracted up to 79 high-capacity carriages with the goal of increasing the capacity of its current fleet by up to 20%. The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, announced the novelty after a test journey between Albacete and Aranjuez. These new trains can reach 200 meters in length and accommodate up to 1,800 passengers, distributed across one or two floors and several carriages.
The contract between Renfe and the Swiss company amounts to 1,306 million euros, approximately 16 million per train. These vehicles will arrive in the capital progressively, as planned in the agreement, which is part of a larger investment for the acquisition of new rolling stock nationwide.
Until now, the largest trains in the fleet were the S450 model, with two floors and a capacity of between 1,200 and 4,000 total seats, including standing passengers. The new Stadler trains are presented in two models with different capacities: 100 meters long (expandable to 120 m) and 200 meters long (expandable up to 240 m). The largest units can comprise up to 10 carriages and be reduced to 160 meters in length, forming the longest single-composition units in Renfe's entire fleet.
These trains, of Iberian gauge, reach a maximum speed of 140 kilometers per hour and are equipped with passenger information systems. They incorporate advances in accessibility and comfort, such as level access from the platform for people with reduced mobility, multifunctional areas for bicycles (up to six in T100 and 18 in T200) and strollers. Six of the ten doors on the T100 (and 12 of 20 on the T200) will be at platform level, speeding up passenger boarding and alighting.
Furthermore, they feature USB charging ports and power outlets at the seats, a modern passenger information system, and full CCTV video surveillance. LED lighting, along with efficient heating, air conditioning, and thermal insulation systems, ensures a comfortable environment while contributing to transport sustainability. The Cercanías network transports over 730,000 travelers daily.
