Some 20 years ago, Barcelona reintroduced the tram system in a modern form – two separately operated networks, known as Trambaix and Trambesòs, were created in a very short space of time. Even then, there was talk of soon connecting the two parts with a 4 km long line along the dead straight Avinguda Diagonal, which forms a central axis in the transport network just north of the old city centre.
However, it was to take two decades before the first 1.7 km section of this connection could be inaugurated: Since today, 10 November 2024, the T4 line has been running from Adrià de Besòs via the Glòries interchange not far from the famous Sagrada Família cathedral to its new Verdaguer terminus. Originally, it was supposed to start yesterday, but the trade unions called a strike on the planned opening day. All celebrations, including the official inauguration by the regional president of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the mayor of Barcelona, were cancelled and the service began early in the morning of 10 November without much fanfare and ceremonies – undoubtedly a missed opportunity to show the benefits of the new connection to the citizens of Barcelona.
As a concession to the numerous critics of the extension in this sensitive urban area, overhead line-free operation using Alstom’s APS system is being introduced for the first time in Spain. The power is supplied underground via metal plates laid in the centre of the ground between the rails, which are only energised when a train passes over them. This technology is used more frequently elsewhere, particularly in France.
18 of the 41 five-section Alstom Citadis 302 low-floor trams delivered between 2003 and 2011 had to be additionally equipped with ground current collectors for this purpose. Alstom is also supplying four new, also five-section tramcars of the current X05 model, which differ externally from older vehicles. Delivery of the vehicles from the Alstom plant in Santa Perpetua in Catalonia is imminent.
The extension from Verdaguer to the Francesc Macià terminus of the Trambaix lines T1, T2 and T3 is also planned, but construction has yet to start. Official statements from the municipal administration mention 2028 as the envisaged opening date – let’s see. Only then will the two tram networks in Barcelona actually be physically connected.
