Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is extending express route X1 from September 2026 from its current terminus at Plaça Francesc Macià along the Diagonal to the Avinguda Albert BastardasThe new starting point/terminus will be at the Jardins de la Torre MelinaThe measure is scheduled to begin at the start of the 2026/2027 academic year (announcement as at 25 August 2026).
Specifically, additional stops will be introduced on the Diagonal: towards Llobregat Maria Cristina, Palau Reial and Zona Universitària and in the corresponding opposite directions. This will provide a direct route between the city centre and the major university campuses in western Barcelona, without a detour. According to the operators, the extension will also make it easier to transfer to regional and city buses entering the Diagonal corridor from the surrounding area.
TMB says that two vehicles will be added to route X1 in order to largely maintain the existing frequency and journey times despite the longer route. The transport authority expects the extension to improve intermodality along this heavily used corridor and reduce travel times for students and university staff. Concrete figures for subsequent passenger growth or time savings will naturally only be available after the service begins.
The step forms part of a series of coordinated changes along the Diagonal. In recent months, city and Catalan authorities had announced further stops and restructuring of the bus network to improve capacity at the Maria Cristina, Palau Reial and Zona Universitària hubs. In terms of the surrounding area, connections from the Baix Llobregat are particularly relevant, as several routes use the Diagonal as an entry point into the city.
Background: Since 2021, the X1 has operated as an express route between Glòries and Plaça Francesc Macià, designed as a fast direct service with few intermediate stops. Demand has since grown, prompting the operators to introduce gradual extensions. The confirmed changes are the extension to Avinguda Albert Bastardas, the new stops on the Diagonal and the addition of vehicles. Expectations of easier transfers and shorter journey times are based on the authorities’ objectives and the location of the stops; whether they are realised depends on the service implementation in September 2026.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).