In San Sebastián the first train tests are due to begin next week on the new underground city-centre section of the Topo commuter rail service. The Basque Minister for Sustainable Mobility, Susana García Chueca, announced this on 4 September. The initial tests will check clearances and involve dynamic runs to verify how trains perform on straight sections and curves, both empty and under load. Only afterwards will train crews receive several weeks of training on the route. The government is aiming to bring the line into service before Christmas, explicitly making the date dependent on how the tests proceed.
According to the regional government, the railway civil engineering phase was completed in June 2026. The infrastructure operator is currently carrying out Euskal Trenbide Sarea finishing work on facilities, overhead lines, ventilation and signalling. The new city-centre Pasante is intended to create a continuous route and free up surface areas. Denis Itxaso’s housing department plans to develop the area currently occupied by tracks in Amara for social housing.
The underground section between Altza and Galtzaraborda has been in operation since July 2026. Building on this, the operator Euskotren is improving services for the winter timetable. From Saturday, 12 September 2026, Saturday-night services will continue at summer frequencies: hourly between Lasarte-Oria and Hendaia and approximately every 30 minutes between Amara and Pasaia, in both directions and throughout the night. In addition, frequencies will be increased in Errenteria and Oiartzun : every 15 minutes instead of the current 30, on Saturday mornings and throughout Sundays and public holidays.
Those responsible see the Pasante as a structural intervention in mobility in Donostia-San Sebastián. Alongside the removal of dead-end tracks in Altza and Amara, the government cites follow-up projects to increase capacity and improve connections across the region. These include plans for extensions in Errenteria and Oiartzun, as well as changes in Irun. Statements on further dates remain subject to formal approvals, safety checks and staff training.
Today’s announcement concerns the imminent start of testing. Background information on construction progress, operating strategy and future service increases comes from recent statements by the regional government and the relevant railway companies. No further specific date was given for the full launch of regular services.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).