|
TRAM
|
|
News and historical information on the Catalonia tramways and trolleybuses
|
TRAM
|
|
History: From 1988, Barcelona has been considering the possibility to reintroduce trams. Several routes were analized but only the projected link to the southwest area (the boroughs of Cornellà, Esplugues de Ll., Sant Feliu de Ll., Sant Joan Despí and Sant Just Desvern) was retained as a way to solve the heavy problems of commuters transport. This line is known as Trambaix as it connects the towns of the Baix Llobregat district.
After several delays, the Barcelona city council promoted the construction of a 640 m demonstration tramway line in the Diagonal Av. That permitted in 1997 to make trials with an Alstom tram of Grenoble and the Combino type of Siemens.
TRAMBAIX
After a long bureaucratic process, the project was put forward and a public offer to build and run the tramway was held. Awarded to a consortium, works started in 2001.A prolongation to Sant Adrià de Besòs across the Diagonal Av. to link with TRAMBESÒS lines still under discuss, and the branch to Sant Boi de Ll. and Castelldefels has been postponed but there is an agreement to get Molins de Rei and Sant Vicenç dels Horts.
Characteristics: The line, of 16,8 km, is stablished as a double track main line to Cornellà with two branches to Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Sant Joan Despí with single track. The 28 stops are provided with platforms of 60m and ticketing machines. 19 Citadis 302 type tramcars from Alstom copes with the scheduled average of 19 milion passengers/year at a commercial speed of 20 km/h. The investment has been 246 M €.
03.04.2004 First routes opened:
Route T1 "Francesc Macià - Bon Viatge"
Route T2 "Francesc Macià - Sant Martí de l'Erm"
Route T3 "Francesc Macià - Montesa"
10.05.2004 T1/T2/T3 Service discontinued due to track problems
17.05.2004 T1 Service resumed
18.05.2004
T2 Service resumed
T3 Service extended from 'Montesa' to "Sant Martí de l'Erm"
Last news:
14.10.2004 Passengers are raising to 30.000/day.
TRAMBESÒS
The project of the line to Sant Adrià de Besòs was put forward after the decision to launch the Fòrum de les cultures in 2004. 2 lines are to be built: the first one to Sant Adrià along Diagonal Av. and the second to Badalona along Gran Via. The first one is partially opened. The second branch will be in service at midd 2005.Characteristics: The whole line will be 14,1 km long with 27 stops and served by 18 trams identhical to the Trambaix line. The cost is stablished at 205 M€.
08.05.2004 First route opened:
Route T4 "Glòries - Estació de Sant Adrià"
10.05.2004 T4 Service discontinued due to track problems
15.05.2004 T4 Service resumed
14.07.2004 T4 Opening section "Glòries - Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica"
Last news :
15.07.2004 Changes in the project of T5 route promoted by neighboroughs will delay the opening until 2006.
Fleet:
TIPUS: M=motor B=remolc 2=nombre d'eixos d=bidireccional s=unidireccional
Gallery :
Avgda. Diagonal. March 2004
Depot. April 2004
Pça de les Glòries. April 2004
Pça de les Glòries. April 2004
Nevertheless, some other lines and branches are considered, as a branch from the main line in the Diagonal Av. to harbour area through the very city center St. Joan Promenade wich has been aproved in 2002.
Links:Barcelona: To keep in touch with Barcelona's new tramway
© Albert Gonzàlez Masip
