The decision, confirmed by Pablo Rodríguez Sardinero, managing director of the CRTM, at the Madrid Assembly, means the regional administration has no plans to extend the subway in the short and medium term. According to Rodríguez Sardinero, the municipality, with approximately 200,000 inhabitants, already has a robust public transport network.
Más Madrid's proposal aimed to leverage the ongoing southern expansion works of Line 11, which will extend to Cuatro Vientos, to connect with Line 12 (MetroSur) from the La Fortuna neighborhood. However, during his appearance before the Housing and Transport Commission, Sardinero defended the adequacy of the existing infrastructure.
The CRTM official highlighted that Leganés already has six integrated MetroSur stops: El Carrascal, Julián Besteiro, Casa del Reloj, Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés Central, and San Nicasio, in addition to the La Fortuna station. To support the refusal, the Consortium provided specific data on the current service's operation, including frequencies of 5 to 6 minutes during peak hours and 7 to 9 minutes during off-peak times. The efficiency of Cercanías Line C-5, offering a direct connection to Madrid with similar intervals, was also emphasized.
Furthermore, Sardinero disclosed two technical reports advising against the project. A 2018 analysis estimated that a connection between La Fortuna and San Nicasio (or Poza del Agua) would only attract between 500 and 1,000 daily users per station. A subsequent 2023 study, proposing a 'Y' branch, raised the forecast to between 2,000 and 4,000 travelers, figures that the CRTM still considers "insufficient" for such a significant investment.
“"The regional Executive bases its planning on electoral interests, ignoring extensions in Leganés, Móstoles, or Alcorcón while prioritizing other areas they consider 'vote-rich territories.'"
The official stance has clashed sharply with the view of Más Madrid deputy, María Acín, who highlighted the reality faced by citizens. Acín pointed out that approximately 60,000 Leganés residents commute to Madrid daily, and 78% of the town's employees work outside the locality, facing average travel times of 49 minutes. The Consortium, for its part, concluded the debate by insisting that regional planning must seek the "maximum impact" for the entire transport network.
