EuskoTran
Encyclopedia
EuskoTran is a light rail tram
service which operates in the cities of Bilbao
(Biscay
), Vitoria (Álava
) and, in the future, in the town of Leioa
(Biscay
), all of them in the Basque Country
, Spain
. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government
, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos. Like the rest of the services of Eusko Trenbideak, EuskoTren
and EuskoKargo, EuskoTran uses metric gauge
rail tracks
. EuskoTren is a commuter rail service and EuskoKargo manages cargo
services.
Currently, EuskoTran manages Bilbao's Tram
and Vitoria's Tram.
was thought as an alternative service for the Metro Bilbao
, the city's metro system. On May 27, 1999 the works for Line 1 started. Those works officially ended on December 18, 2002, when the first phase was completed and opened to public. The first phase was the first part of Line 1 and called "Atxuri-Uribitarte" and it had six stations. On April 30, 2003 the station "Guggenheim
" was added. On July 24, 2003 four more stations became active ("Guggenheim-San Mamés). Finally, in 2004, the final station "Basurto" was opened.
station is situated.
river through the Euskalduna Bridge. The expanded line will have four new stations. After Zorrotzaurre, the tram would continue to Zorroza. However, due the change in the Basque Government
, there has been doubts about the continuity of the project.
station from Atxuri
to San Nicolás in 2012, the Atxuri
station will only give service to EuskoTran. Then, the rail tracks that now EuskoTren
is using to reach Bolueta and Etxebarri will be used for EuskoTran. It is currently unknown if the tram will just reach Etxebarri or also to the community of Ariz (Basauri).
Lakua Line
Abetxuko Line
will have 11 stations and is divided into two phases. The first one, already in plans, will connect the campus of the University of the Basque Country
(with two stations there) with Leioa's Metro
station (Line 1). It is expected to have nine stations. This first phase is expected to start constructions in 2010. It is expected to be finished by 2012. The expected stations for this line are:
Meanwhile, the second phase will connect Leioa's metro
(Line 1) station with Urbinaga metro
station (Line 2). The expected stations for this second phase are:
Once the intermodal station of Urbinaga is finished, there will meet one line of Metro Bilbao
(Line 2), two lines of EuskoTran (Leioa and Barakaldo) and two lines of Cercanías Bilbao
(C-1 and C-2)
will connect Urbinaga with several neighborhoods of Barakaldo
. Its line will be circular and will have 13 stations plus other 3 in Sestao
. This is an effort to connect the tram of Sestao
and Barakaldo
with the one of Leioa
, in order to connect those towns with the University of the Basque Country
. The line is still in plans and could change its number of stations or the locations of those. The expected stations for this line are:
In Sestao
:
In Barakaldo
:
consists of 8 trams numbered from 401 to 408. The light rail vehicles were manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
(CAF) in the Basque town of Beasain
. Each 25 m (82 ft) long tram can carry 192 people, 50 of them seated (about the capacity of three buses). Access to the trams is at platform level, making it easy for handicapped passengers to get on and off through the tram's eight doors. Speakers in the trams play music and announce each stop. All trams are equipped with climatization.
In Vitoria there are 10 trams numbered from 500 to 510. Vitoria's trams have a length of 31 meters and six doors at each side.
. Before the line became fully operational it was not unusual to see nearly empty trams. However, patronage has increased steadily with the enlarging of the line and the trams offer excellent sightseeing possibilities for visitors wanting to see "the new Bilbao".
In Vitoria, many residents initially opposed the project in 1995 and the network had to be preplanned in 2004 to cover more neighborhoods. After its inauguration, the Vitoria tram has become a successful means of transport in the city, although there are some safety concerns.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
service which operates in the cities of Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
(Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
), Vitoria (Álava
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
) and, in the future, in the town of Leioa
Leioa
Leioa is a municipality in Biscay, Basque Country, in northern Spain. Today it is part of the Bilbao conurbation, and it is the name of a metro station in the Bilbao metro...
(Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
), all of them in the Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government
Basque Government
The Basque Government is the governing body of the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain. The head of this government is the lehendakari or Basque president that is appointed by the Basque Parliament every four years...
, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos. Like the rest of the services of Eusko Trenbideak, EuskoTren
EuskoTren
EuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
and EuskoKargo, EuskoTran uses metric gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
rail tracks
Rail tracks
The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers and ballast , plus the underlying subgrade...
. EuskoTren is a commuter rail service and EuskoKargo manages cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
services.
Currently, EuskoTran manages Bilbao's Tram
Line A (EuskoTran)
The Line A of EuskoTran, also known simply as Bilbao's Tram is a tramway system in Bilbao, Spain which began operation in December 2002.It is one of the two tram lines operated by EuskoTran in the Basque Country, being the other one the Vitoria's tram...
and Vitoria's Tram.
Tram lines managed by EuskoTran
| Line | Official Name | Total length | Stations in service | Total number of stations | Municipality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atxuri / Basurto | Tranvia de Bilbao (Bilbao's Tram Line A (EuskoTran) The Line A of EuskoTran, also known simply as Bilbao's Tram is a tramway system in Bilbao, Spain which began operation in December 2002.It is one of the two tram lines operated by EuskoTran in the Basque Country, being the other one the Vitoria's tram... ) |
4,87 km | 12 | 12 | Bilbao Bilbao Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain... (Biscay Biscay Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao... ) |
| Angulema / Ibaiondo | Tranvia de Vitoria (Vitoria's Tram) | 4,967 km | 12 | 12 | Vitoria (Álava Álava Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community... ) |
| Angulema / Abetxuko | Tranvia de Vitoria (Vitoria's Tram) | 4,868 km | 12 | 12 | Vitoria (Álava Álava Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community... ) |
| UPV / Leioa / Urbinaga (Being built) | Tranvia de Leioa (Leioa's Tram) | 3,862 km | - | 9 | Leioa Leioa Leioa is a municipality in Biscay, Basque Country, in northern Spain. Today it is part of the Bilbao conurbation, and it is the name of a metro station in the Bilbao metro... and Erandio Erandio Erandio is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.In 1415, during the War of the Bands, the corregidor, the royally-appointed governor of the Biscayan hermandad, acting on royal orders, siphoned off Biscayan wheat to... (Biscay Biscay Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao... ) |
| UPV / Leioa / Urbinaga (In plans) | Tranvia de Leioa (Leioa's Tram) | 1,8 km | - | 2 | Leioa Leioa Leioa is a municipality in Biscay, Basque Country, in northern Spain. Today it is part of the Bilbao conurbation, and it is the name of a metro station in the Bilbao metro... and Sestao Sestao Sestao is a town and municipality of 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain... (Biscay Biscay Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao... ) |
| Urbinaga / Barakaldo (In plans) | Tranvía de Barakaldo (Barakaldo's Tram) | 10,7 km (aprox.) | - | 17 | Barakaldo Barakaldo Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population... and Sestao Sestao Sestao is a town and municipality of 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain... (Biscay Biscay Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao... ) |
| Total | 23,682 km 2.685 meters are used for the lines of Angulema / Ibaiondo and Angulema / Abetxuko at the same time. | 30 Six stations are used for the lines of Angulema / Ibaiondo and Angulema / Abetxuko at the same time. | 64 |
Bilbao's Tram
EuskoTran in BilbaoBilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
was thought as an alternative service for the Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
, the city's metro system. On May 27, 1999 the works for Line 1 started. Those works officially ended on December 18, 2002, when the first phase was completed and opened to public. The first phase was the first part of Line 1 and called "Atxuri-Uribitarte" and it had six stations. On April 30, 2003 the station "Guggenheim
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a museum of modern and contemporary art, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, built by Ferrovial, and located in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. It is built alongside the Nervion River, which runs through the city of Bilbao to the Atlantic Coast. The...
" was added. On July 24, 2003 four more stations became active ("Guggenheim-San Mamés). Finally, in 2004, the final station "Basurto" was opened.
Fare
Current fare for the tram service in Bilbao:- Occasional ticket: 1.20€
- CreditransCreditransCreditrans is a travel card used to travel around Biscay, in the Basque Country . The card is the most popular ticket in the area, used by over 100 million passengers in 2007.-History:...
: 0.64€ - Hirukotrans: 0.51€ (for big families) and 0.32€ (for special big families)
- Gizatrans: 0.29€ (general), 0.23€ (big families) and 0.15€ (big special families)
Route
- AtxuriBilbao-Atxuri StationBilbao-Atxuri Station, commonly known only as Bilbao-Atxuri or Atxuri Station is a terminal station located in the neighborhood of Atxuri, in the district of Ibaiondo in Bilbao, Spain. The terminal serves commuters traveling on EuskoTren and the tram services of EuskoTran. It is the terminal...
| Connection with: EuskoTrenEuskoTrenEuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
, , - Ribera
- Arriaga | Connection with: Metro BilbaoMetro BilbaoMetro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
; EuskoTrenEuskoTrenEuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
- AbandoAbando----Abando was the name of an old municipality of Biscay , that was eventually absorbed by Bilbao. Nowadays, the name refers to the central district and neighbourhood of this city, holding the provincial administration, the long-distance RENFE Bilbao-Abando train station, three subway stations ,...
| Connection with: Metro BilbaoMetro BilbaoMetro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
; CercaníasCercaníasCercanías is the name given to the commuter rail systems of Spain's major metropolitan areas. In Catalonia and Valencia, however, the term is replaced by Rodalies , while the designation Aldirikoak is used in the Basque Country....
; RenfeRENFERenfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National...
"Long Lines"
; FEVEFEVEFEVE is a state-owned Spanish railway company, which operates most of Spain's of metre gauge railway.-History:... - Pío Baroja
- Uribitarte
- Guggenheim
- Abandoibarra
- Euskalduna
- Sabino Arana
- San Mamés | Connection with: Metro BilbaoMetro BilbaoMetro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
; CercaníasCercaníasCercanías is the name given to the commuter rail systems of Spain's major metropolitan areas. In Catalonia and Valencia, however, the term is replaced by Rodalies , while the designation Aldirikoak is used in the Basque Country....
; TermibusTermibusTermibus is the main bus station of Bilbao and it is located beside San Mamés Stadium. The bus terminal is linked to the San Mamés underground, tram and commuter rail station.... - Basurto | Connexion with: FEVEFEVEFEVE is a state-owned Spanish railway company, which operates most of Spain's of metre gauge railway.-History:...
- Autonomía (being built)
- La Casilla (being built)
Creation of a "tram ring"
Bilbao's Tram is expected to be a circular line with divisions (Atxuri-Etxebarri, Euskalduna-Zorrotzuarte). In order to close the circle, the line will be expanded through the street of Autonomía until the Circular Square, where the AbandoAbando
----Abando was the name of an old municipality of Biscay , that was eventually absorbed by Bilbao. Nowadays, the name refers to the central district and neighbourhood of this city, holding the provincial administration, the long-distance RENFE Bilbao-Abando train station, three subway stations ,...
station is situated.
Expansion to Zorrotzuarte and Zorrotza
The tram is expected to reach Zorrotzaurre after 2010, crossing the NerviónNervión
The river Nervión runs through the city of Bilbao, Spain into the Cantabrian Sea .It is also known as Estuary of Bilbao on its final tract, from the joining with Ibaizabal river to the sea.-Geography:...
river through the Euskalduna Bridge. The expanded line will have four new stations. After Zorrotzaurre, the tram would continue to Zorroza. However, due the change in the Basque Government
Basque Government
The Basque Government is the governing body of the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain. The head of this government is the lehendakari or Basque president that is appointed by the Basque Parliament every four years...
, there has been doubts about the continuity of the project.
Expansion to Etxebarri
Due the change of the terminal EuskoTrenEuskoTren
EuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
station from Atxuri
Atxuri
Atxuri is a neighborhood of Bilbao. It was originally a suburb south of the old walled town. Modernly it stands between this neighborhood and those of Solokoetxe, Santutxu and the estuary of Bilbao. Administratively, it belongs to the 5th district of the city. It hosts Bilbao-Atxuri Station, the...
to San Nicolás in 2012, the Atxuri
Atxuri
Atxuri is a neighborhood of Bilbao. It was originally a suburb south of the old walled town. Modernly it stands between this neighborhood and those of Solokoetxe, Santutxu and the estuary of Bilbao. Administratively, it belongs to the 5th district of the city. It hosts Bilbao-Atxuri Station, the...
station will only give service to EuskoTran. Then, the rail tracks that now EuskoTren
EuskoTren
EuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
is using to reach Bolueta and Etxebarri will be used for EuskoTran. It is currently unknown if the tram will just reach Etxebarri or also to the community of Ariz (Basauri).
Vitoria's Tram
Vitoria's Tram started on December 23, 2008, making a route from downtown to the neighborhood Ibaiondo with a frequency of 12 minutes at rush hour and 15 minutes the rest of the time. By December, 2008, 12 of 18 stations were open. On July 10, 2009 the second line was opened.Fare
- Occasional ticket: 1€
- BAT Card: 0.55€ (includes free transfe between the tram and the bus line)
- Mensual Tram-Bus Voucher: 25€
Route
Main Line- Angulema
- Parlamento
- Lovaina
- Sancho el Sabio
- Europa
- Honduras
Lakua Line
- Landaberde
- Ibaiondo
- Lakuabizkarra
- Wellington
- Txagorritxu
- Euskal Herria
Abetxuko Line
- Abetxuko
- Artapadura
- Arriaga
- Gernikako Arbola
- Portal de Foronda
- Intermodal
Leioa's Tram
The line in LeioaLeioa
Leioa is a municipality in Biscay, Basque Country, in northern Spain. Today it is part of the Bilbao conurbation, and it is the name of a metro station in the Bilbao metro...
will have 11 stations and is divided into two phases. The first one, already in plans, will connect the campus of the University of the Basque Country
University of the Basque Country
The University of the Basque Country is the only public university in the Basque Country, in Northern Spain...
(with two stations there) with Leioa's Metro
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
station (Line 1). It is expected to have nine stations. This first phase is expected to start constructions in 2010. It is expected to be finished by 2012. The expected stations for this line are:
- UPV II (Final station)
- UPV I
- Sarriena
- Rotonda de Sarriena
- Edificio consistorial
- Avenida Sabino Arana
- Avenida Sabino Arana
- Boulevard Udondo
- Leioa's Station | Connection with:
Meanwhile, the second phase will connect Leioa's metro
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
(Line 1) station with Urbinaga metro
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
station (Line 2). The expected stations for this second phase are:
- La Punta
- Urbinaga Station | Connection with:
Once the intermodal station of Urbinaga is finished, there will meet one line of Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao
Metro Bilbao is a rapid transit system serving the city of Bilbao and the region of Greater Bilbao. Its lines have a "Y" shape, with two lines that transit both banks of the Nervión river and then combine to form one line that ends in the south of Bilbao...
(Line 2), two lines of EuskoTran (Leioa and Barakaldo) and two lines of Cercanías Bilbao
Cercanías Bilbao
Cercanías Bilbao is a commuter rail network in Bilbao, serving the city and its metropolitan area. It is operated by Cercanías, as part of Renfe, the national railway company...
(C-1 and C-2)
Barakaldo's tram
The line of EuskoTran in BarakaldoBarakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
will connect Urbinaga with several neighborhoods of Barakaldo
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
. Its line will be circular and will have 13 stations plus other 3 in Sestao
Sestao
Sestao is a town and municipality of 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain...
. This is an effort to connect the tram of Sestao
Sestao
Sestao is a town and municipality of 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain...
and Barakaldo
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
with the one of Leioa
Leioa
Leioa is a municipality in Biscay, Basque Country, in northern Spain. Today it is part of the Bilbao conurbation, and it is the name of a metro station in the Bilbao metro...
, in order to connect those towns with the University of the Basque Country
University of the Basque Country
The University of the Basque Country is the only public university in the Basque Country, in Northern Spain...
. The line is still in plans and could change its number of stations or the locations of those. The expected stations for this line are:
In Sestao
Sestao
Sestao is a town and municipality of 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain...
:
- Urbinaga | Connection with:
- Kaiku Square
- Kaiku Avenue
In Barakaldo
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
:
- Urban
- Desertu
- Lutxana
- Artzain Ona
- Ansio | Connection with:
- Retuerto
- Ribera Avenue
- MegaPark
- Park Avenue
- Old Beurko
- Bagatza | Connection with:
- San Eloy
- Lasesarre
- CEDEMI
Rolling stock
The current fleet of trams in BilbaoBilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
consists of 8 trams numbered from 401 to 408. The light rail vehicles were manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
(CAF) in the Basque town of Beasain
Beasáin
Beasain is a town and municipality located in the Goierri region of the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, northern Spain. It has an important industry of railroad vehicles and related equipment that exports its production to all the world.-External links:* *...
. Each 25 m (82 ft) long tram can carry 192 people, 50 of them seated (about the capacity of three buses). Access to the trams is at platform level, making it easy for handicapped passengers to get on and off through the tram's eight doors. Speakers in the trams play music and announce each stop. All trams are equipped with climatization.
In Vitoria there are 10 trams numbered from 500 to 510. Vitoria's trams have a length of 31 meters and six doors at each side.
Ridership
Many citizens if Bilbao initially considered the new system to be no more than a public-image exercise, since it was no cheaper to ride than the metroRapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
. Before the line became fully operational it was not unusual to see nearly empty trams. However, patronage has increased steadily with the enlarging of the line and the trams offer excellent sightseeing possibilities for visitors wanting to see "the new Bilbao".
In Vitoria, many residents initially opposed the project in 1995 and the network had to be preplanned in 2004 to cover more neighborhoods. After its inauguration, the Vitoria tram has become a successful means of transport in the city, although there are some safety concerns.