The Community of Madrid has unveiled the first train from a new fleet of 48 autonomous convoys manufactured by CAF. These trains, set to operate driverless on Line 6 starting in 2027, aim to modernize one of the network's most saturated lines, used daily by nearly 430,000 passengers.
President Isabel Díaz Ayuso presented the unit, stating, "Metro de Madrid continues to grow in step with this dynamic, thriving, modern region, and the autonomous trains for Line 6 are already here." The initiative is part of a plan to completely modernize the line.
Initial tests will take place this summer during nighttime hours without passengers on sections of lines 10, 11, and 12, with a driver on board to ensure safety and reliability. Subsequently, tests will move to L6 itself, once the necessary renovation works for the new signaling and communication system are completed.
The new trains, featuring six cars and over 109 meters in length, will accommodate 1,385 passengers, a 17% increase from current models. They will have wider aisles and eliminate the driver's cabin. Top speed will increase by 33% to 110 km/h, while energy consumption will decrease by 20%, aiming to boost the line's capacity by up to 70% and reduce headways to two minutes during peak hours.
Currently, three units are completed, and two are in advanced production. Transporting each train requires road expeditions of up to six trailer trucks.
In parallel, the platforms at the 28 stations of L6 are being adapted for the installation of automatic doors, with an investment of 8 million euros. These works, carried out at night, include platform floor renovation, tactile paving installation, and leveling the gap between the platform and the train.
The Community of Madrid has assured that there will be no job losses. Current drivers will be reassigned to other lines in the network, reinforcing service and work-life balance. Metro has already begun training its staff for this new operational model.
This project is part of a broader modernization plan for Metro de Madrid, which includes the renovation of stations such as Ventas, Santiago Bernabéu, and Avenida de América, the installation of new elevators and escalators, and the extension of lines like L11, L5, and L3.
