CAF and Madrid railway contract finalization

CAF and Metro Madrid have finalized a contract to supply the first batch of 40 new trains, marking the beginning of a significant investment to renew and expand the metro fleet. This agreement, valued at approximately €400 million, involves the design and provision of wide-gauge, single-voltage trains intended for lines 6 and 8 of the metro network. Additionally, the contract includes the development and implementation of a fleet life cycle optimization program, with the option to increase the number of trains supplied in the future.

The objective of this purchase, financed through loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB), is to enhance service quality and expand the capacity of Madrid's public transport system. The decision aligns with the Community of Madrid's environmental policies and responds to increasing passenger demand and projected growth. The new trains are designed to be more energy-efficient, contributing to the city's sustainability goals.

Each train unit supplied by CAF will comprise six cars, with four motor cars and two trailer cars, allowing for substantial passenger capacity. The trains will feature a non-obstructed layout with gangway aisles running the entire length of the unit, facilitating easier movement for passengers. The tender process was highly demanding, emphasizing factors like energy consumption, life cycle cost (LCC), and technical performance, including the potential for semi-automatic (GoA2) and fully automatic (GoA4) operation.

CAF's extensive collaboration with Metro Madrid spans many years, during which it has supplied over 600 metro units, including the 2000, 3000, 5000, 6000, 8000, and 8400 series. The last delivery, the 8400 series, was made in 2010 and 2011 and currently serves line 6. This new contract reinforces the ongoing partnership between CAF and Metro Madrid, ensuring the continued modernization and efficiency of the city's metro network.