At the Line 6 of the Madrid Metro has completed the first phase of night-time test runs with driverless trains. The regional government said on 11 November that technicians had tested the interaction between the trains and the Cuatro Caminos and Lucero platform screen doors platform screen doors and signalling system between the stations. A second phase of testing is already under way between Arganzuela-Planetario and Ciudad Universitaria. Later, the trials are to be extended to the remaining sections of the circular line.
According to the regional government, driverless operation is planned for March 2027. From April 2027, the line, also known as Circular, is to run round the clock at weekends. Both dates are announcements; the changes have not yet been implemented.
The test runs include checks on whether the trains comply with operating rules and stop precisely at the designated points. This is important for the interaction between the train doors and platform screen doors: both should open at the same time. The trains begin at low speed. After the initial checks, technicians gradually increase the speed to study how the trains behave.
The trains are tested both empty and under load. Two cars are weighted with several tonnes of concrete for this purpose. The ballast is intended to simulate a load of four passengers per square metre. The Metro is currently using five of the 48 trains purchased for automation for the trials.
Another train is due to arrive from the manufacturer’s factory at CAF in Corella ; according to the regional government, three more are at its factory in Beasain. The rest of the fleet is due to arrive in stages by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Platform screen doors are being installed at all 70 platforms on the line. The work is due to be completed by the end of 2026. In the final design, the train floor and platform are to be almost level, with a horizontal gap of less than 30 millimetres. Additional bridging elements are planned for curves. This should allow wheelchair users to board without deployable ramps.
At the same time, Laguna Depot is being adapted to maintain the new fleet. According to the regional government, tracks have been renewed along the route, the power supply has been adapted and a signalling system for driverless operation has been installed. A control area with seven workstations is planned in the central control room.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).