Barcelona APS surface contact tramline testing starts

The Spanish city of Barcelona has operated two separated tramway systems since 2004, Trambaix (15.1km) in the west and Trambesòs (14.1km) in the east, both with city termini on the Diagonal avenue. 

 

The systems are worked by 41 Alstom Citadis trams. In 2008 the mayor announced a refurbishment of this important highway, including a link between the two tramway systems. 

 

This did not meet approval on all sides, and in 2010 a referendum was held to obtain citizens’ views, that produced a result against doing anything. A new city council revived and approved the project in January 2019 and work on the six-stop link finally started in March 2022. 

 

Alstom was awarded a contract to install its APS surface contact current collection on the 3.92km link, to avoid the need for overhead wires. 

 

With work approaching completion, the first trial run of an APS-equipped tram took place on the night of 15/16 July 2024. Alstom has delivered three APS equipped Citadis and is retrofitting the trams in the original fleet. 

 

It is hoped to carry passengers before the end of 2024.