Cádiz Bay tram-train
Cádiz Bay tram-train | |
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Overview | |
Native name | Tranvía Metropolitano de la Bahía de Cádiz |
Locale | Cádiz, San Fernando and Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain |
Transit type | Light rail, tram-train |
Number of lines | 1 |
Number of stations | 21 |
Daily ridership | 4,977 (average)[1] |
Operation | |
Began operation | October 26, 2022 |
Technical | |
System length | 24 km (14.9 mi) |
Track gauge | 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) Iberian gauge |
The Cádiz Bay tram-train is a tram-train/light rail system in the Spanish city of Cádiz and the surrounding area. The 24 km (14.9 mi) system[2][3] opened on October 26, 2022.[4]
Background
[edit]![](http://178.128.105.246/host-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Plano_Esquem%C3%A1tico_del_Trambah%C3%ADa_de_C%C3%A1diz.svg/220px-Plano_Esquem%C3%A1tico_del_Trambah%C3%ADa_de_C%C3%A1diz.svg.png)
The new tram-train line has been described by the European Commission as being 42% quicker than the train, and 26% faster than taking the car, along with projected reductions of 97% in traffic injuries and 75% in road deaths are foreseen.
The line is also said to potentially decrease CO2 emissions 7,000 tonnes each year, and over 230,000 inhabitants who live within 500 metres of the line are expected to benefit.[5]
Construction on the system began on September 1, 2008, but was halted due to the 2008–2014 Spanish financial crisis. The inaugural line will use the existing Alcázar de San Juan–Cádiz railway as far as La Ardila sharing stations with the Cercanías Cádiz commuter rail line, then transfer to a new tramway through to Chiclana de la Frontera; the first example of its kind in Spain, where trams use main-line railways.[6]
![](http://178.128.105.246/host-http-upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Tran_C%C3%A1diz_%2813971927276%29.jpg/290px-Tran_C%C3%A1diz_%2813971927276%29.jpg)
The first completed units of the train-tram, which left CAF's facilities for the first time on April 24, 2012, were carrying out homologation tests in northern Spain. Between 2012 and 2014 CAF carried out tests with the train-trams between the stations of Irun and Alsasua. Later they moved to the surroundings of the Oviedo station.[7]
In November 2014, the Andalusian government announced the arrival of the first unit in the province of Cádiz in order to carry out dynamic tests in the part of the route that was already completed.[8] Thus, on November 17, 2014, the tram circulated for the first time between the stations of Ardila and Pinar de los Franceses, completing the route satisfactorily. The tests lasted throughout the entire week.[9]
Test circulation and inauguration
[edit]On February 11, 2022, for the first time, an 801 unit traveled the entire 24-kilometre route and 21 stops of the Tramway of the Bay, from the Pelagatos depot (Chiclana de la Frontera) to the Cádiz station. That same day, after this milestone, the Public Works Agency and Renfe announced that, before its entry into commercial service, scheduled for October 26, 2022, the blank tests were carried out, the robustness tests and, finally, the business simulations.[10]
Finally, on October 21, 2022, the Andalusian government announced the inauguration date of the train-tram.[11] On October 26, the Cádiz Bay tram-train was finally inaugurated, after more than 16 years since the works began and 20 years after its completion.[12]
Future expansion
[edit]A second line of 11 km (6.8 mi) is planned, starting in the centre of Cádiz with three stops. and crossing La Constitución de 1812 Bridge to serve seven more stops in Puerto Real.[13] This line would eventually rejoin the mainline railway to serve Jerez de la Frontera and its airport.
Rolling stock
[edit]Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) will provide seven tram-trains capable of a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).[14]
References
[edit]- ^ "El TramBahía transporta a 31.841 viajeros en su primera semana de funcionamiento". La Vanguardia. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "New train-tram line for the Cádiz Bay area". ec.europa.eu. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Cádiz tram-train testing underway". Railway Gazette International. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ Buch, Erik (26 October 2022). "Cádiz goes TramTrain!". Urban Transport Magazine. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "New train-tram line for the Cádiz Bay area". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "Andalucia and its tramways - today - Urban Transport Magazine". Urban Transport Magazine. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ Vivir el tren (7 April 2013). "Pruebas del tranvía Metropolitano de la Bahía de Cádiz por tierras asturianas". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Junta de Andalucía (17 November 2014). "Llega a San Fernando una unidad del tren tranvía de la Bahía de Cádiz para iniciar las pruebas dinámicas". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Treneando (29 November 2011). "El Tren Tranvía de Cádiz concluye satisfactoriamente la primera fase de pruebas dinámicas". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "El tranvía de la Bahía de Cádiz completa por primera vez las pruebas en el trazado completo". www.aopandalucia.es. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ La Voz de Cádiz (21 October 2022). "El tranvía de la Bahía de Cádiz comenzará a funcionar el miércoles 26 de octubre". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Canal Sur (26 October 2022). "El Trambahía de Cádiz entra en servicio tras 16 años de obras". Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "La Junta concluye el estudio geotécnico del proyecto de la línea 2 del tren tranvía". Portal de Cádiz. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "CÁDIZ BAY TRAM-TRAIN". www.caf.net. Retrieved 21 December 2020.