This summer, Alcorcon will witness a significant transformation in public transport with the start of tests for the new automatic trains of Madrid Metro. Although these trains are destined for Line 6, a crucial part of their trials will be conducted on Line 10, which serves the municipality through the Joaquín Vilumbrales and Puerta del Sur stations.
The trials will be carried out during nighttime hours, when the Metro network is closed to the public, to verify the functionality of the new signaling, communication, and control systems that will enable automatic circulation. The first of 48 trains manufactured by CAF has already completed its industrial validation and will undergo a testing schedule.
During this initial phase, the trains will run with a driver on board, and tests will be conducted exclusively at night, ensuring no impact on the regular passenger service. This means that Line 10, a vital connection for Alcorcon to the capital, will become a testing ground for the modernization of Madrid's underground.
The Community of Madrid has invested over 531 million euros in the acquisition of these 48 new trains. On Line 6, they are expected to increase transport capacity by up to 70% and reduce headways to two minutes. Each train will have six cars, measure over 109 meters, and accommodate 1,385 passengers, 17% more than current models. They will reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h and reduce energy consumption by around 20%.
One of the most notable changes will be the disappearance of the traditional driver's cabin, as the trains will operate automatically once they enter service on Line 6, scheduled for 2027. The tests on Line 10 will serve to check aspects related to safety, reliability, dynamic behavior, comfort, and integration with other railway systems.
The automation of Line 6 also includes the installation of platform screen doors at its 28 stations and infrastructure adaptations. Metro de Madrid is training its staff for this technological shift, assuring that the redistribution of drivers will not lead to job losses. Alcorcon will play a significant role in this preliminary phase, testing the technology that will define the future of Madrid's Metro.
