Bilbao metro

The main station of the network is Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo, the only one in which all three lines meet.[10] Since line 3 is operated as part of the wider Euskotren Trena network, the station is also the main hub for Euskotren's commuter railway services in Bilbao. Other important interchange stations are Abando (connections to Cercanías and Feve commuter railway lines and Renfe's long distance services) and Santimami/San Mamés[11] (connections to Cercanías and the main bus terminal). Urbinaga station on line 2 was built as a future interchange station with two Cercanías commuter rail lines. However, as of 2021, the commuter rail station is not yet built, having been postponed several times.[12]

Additionally, the Bilbao tram has stops near the Santimami/San Mamés, Abando and Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo stations. Besides this, most stations have several bus connections.

1920s project

Alternative 1 planned for 1985, almost identical to the final project

The first proposal for building a metro system in Bilbao was made in the 1920s. The network was planned to have two lines connecting Atxuri station with the westernmost parts of the city (at the time), each running via a different route. Banco Español de Crédito, which was to have backed the project financially, withdrew in 1925; rendering the project infeasible.[13] The proposal for a metro system was definitively abandoned after the civil war.

In 1971 the government of Biscay, the Bilbao City Council and the Commerce Bureau created a commission to evaluate the transportation needs of Greater Bilbao. In 1974, the Spanish government pledged to give financial support to a metro project.[14]

In 1976, the Biscay Transport Consortium was created.[15] Two years later, in 1977, three proposals were made to build a metro line by 1985. Of these proposals, the first one was almost identical to the current network.[16] The project for the construction of a metro was approved in 1977. However, many objections were raised against it, which together with disagreements between different institutions put the project on hold.[16]

In 1983 the Basque Government approved a plan for transportation on the right bank of the Estuary of Bilbao, but its execution was delayed. The document was rewritten in 1985, and in 1987 the plan to build and fund the metro was approved.[16]

A metro system was deemed to be the best way to improve congestion problems in the evolving and regenerating city. The design for the underground stations was awarded to the architects Sir Norman Foster and partners in 1988 following an open competition.[17]

The construction of the first line involved converting to rapid transit standards Euskotren's existing suburban railway line between San Inazio and Plentzia. The first works started in late 1988, with the existing Erandio station being put underground.[17] In the city itself, a new tunnel was built between San Inazio and Casco Viejo. The central Moyúa square was closed to pedestrians from 1990[17] to 1997 due to construction activity. The works were especially complicated in the neighborhoods of Deusto and San Inazio, where the cut and cover tunnel excavation slightly damaged some buildings, was very noisy, and caused severe traffic disruptions. This method of excavation contrasted with the tunnel-boring machines used elsewhere in the city.[16]

Moyua station, view from the ticket line

The first stretch of line 1 was opened on 11 November 1995, with 23 stations between Casco Viejo and Plentzia.[18] The tracks outside Bilbao were previously part of Euskotren's Bilbao-Plentzia line, with parts of the alignment dating from 1887.[5]

By 5 July 1997 the total number of stations was 27 as Santutxu, Basarrate and Bolueta joined Gobela which had opened the previous year.[19]

After the conversion of the Bilbao-Plentzia railway into a rapid transit line, two level crossings remained. The works to remove the first, in the Maidagan neighborhood of Getxo, lasted from 2010[20] to 2012.[21] The other remaining level crossing, located in Urduliz, was removed between 2015 and 2017; the works involved the construction of a new underground station in Urduliz.[22] In 2020, Ibarbengoa station opened to the public. It was built in 2012, at the same time as the Maidagan level crossing was put underground, but the opening was delayed until its park and ride facilities were built.[23]

The first line, which runs north of the estuary, was later joined by a second line serving the southern bank of the river. It shares tracks with line 1 within Bilbao, splitting at San Ignazio, from where it runs to Santurtzi. The first five stations (Gurutzeta/Cruces, Ansio, Barakaldo, Bagatza and Urbinaga) opened on 13 April 2002.[24] The line was extended northwards to Sestao and eastwards to Etxebarri (Etxebarri is also served by line 1) in early 2005.[25] To the north, Portugalete and Abatxolo opened in 2007;[26] followed by Peñota and Santurtzi in 2009.[27] Two more stations were added to the south in 2011: Ariz in February[28] and Basauri in November.[29] The final extension took place in 2014, with the opening of Kabiezes as the northern terminus of the line.[30]

Following the commencement of works in the middle of 2009, it was inaugurated on 8 April 2017. It cost 279 million euros, significantly more than the original 153 million euro budget.[31] and was expected to transport 71,000 people according to Bilbao council. The third line has a length of 5,885 metres and has one station in Etxebarri: Kukullaga-Etxebarri, and six stations in Bilbao: Otxarkoaga, Txurdinaga, Zurbaranbarri, Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo, Uribarri and Matiko.[32]

The construction of a new depot in Ortuella was proposed in 2010.[33] Together with the construction of the depot, a new station could be built, extending line 2 from Kabiezes. Further extensions to the line have been tentatively discarded.[34]

Line 1 might be extended eastwards to Sarratu, in Basauri.[35] This station will provide an interchange with the Euskotren Trena suburban rail network. The station will be built together with line 5 of the metro, originally proposed as an extension of line 1, but which will ultimately be built as an extension of line 3. Consequently, Sarratu will become the eastern terminus of line 1.[36]

Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo Station (L1, L2 and L3) entrance

There are plans to extend line 3 to the airport, taking advantage of the double-tracked tunnel built under Mount Artxanda opened in 2017. The first phase would involve rebuilding Sondika station in order to allow trains on the Txorierri line to travel between Matiko and Lezama without the need to reverse.[37] In a second phase, a new underground branch would be built under the runway from Sondika to the airport terminal.[38]

The preliminary layout of the future Line 4 (Moyúa/Rekalde) was presented on 25 January 2008. The preliminary layout suggests that Moyúa Station, which gives service to Line 1 and Line 2, will connect with Rekalde with two intermediate stations: Zabalburu (which has a suburban rail station) and Irala. There have been discussions about the ramifications of whether to connect with either Moyúa Station or Bilbao Abando Station, this is due to the fact that Rekalde did not have a Metro connection. Line 3 was planned to connect Rekalde with the rest of the city, but the final plan moved the line in another direction.[39]

The plan to add Rekalde to Line 3 was halted, and the route completely altered. This change was criticised, especially by people from Rekalde.[40] In 2009 a new layout for a new line (Line 4) was considered; this new line would connect Rekalde with Moyúa and the latter station with Deusto, taking advantage of the rail tracks of Euskotren Trena, that are in that zone. Matiko Station would be connected too. The line would then have the Plaza Euskadi Station ("Euskadi Square Station") after Moyúa and then cross the river to Deusto (Deusto Station) and a new station in the University of Deusto campus (Unibersitatea), to then reach Matiko (Line 3).[41][42]

The preliminary layout for line 5 was also presented on 25 January 2008. This new line would connect Etxebarri with Galdakao, with a total of five stations (Etxebarri, Aperribai, Galdakao, Galdakao Hospital and Usansolo).[43] Later on, another station was proposed for the Bengoetxe neighborhood of Galdakao.[44] In 2010, at the time of the tendering of the project, the opening of the line was planned for 2016. Sarratu was proposed as the new western terminus of the line, providing an interchange with line 1 and the Euskotren Trena network.[45] The construction of the line was repeatedly delayed due to a lack of funds, in 2017 the opening of the line was expected to occur no earlier than 2026.[46]

In 2018, a proposal was made to convert the existing Euskotren railway line between Usansolo and Etxebarri to metro standards.[47] In early 2019, the new project for the line was presented. It would involve moving the existing Euskotren line to a new underground alignment between Sarratu and Usansolo, serving as a de facto extension of line 3.[48] Five new stations were planned: Sarratu, Aperribai, Bengoetxe, Galdakao and Galdakao Hospital.[49] In late 2022, the works for the first three sections of the line, between Sarratu and Galdakao Hospital, were tendered for 240 million euro.[50] The works for the third section had to be retendered in March 2023 due to errors in the original budget.[51] As of early 2022, the opening of the line from Sarratu to Galdakao is planned for 2027, while the whole line (including its connection with the Euskotren mainline) is expected to open by 2029.[52]

The Metro Bilbao network is divided into the following fare zones:

• Zone 1  (Bilbao), from Bolueta (main line for L1 and L2) to San Inazio (main line for L1 and L2), inclusive.
• Zone 2  (Upper Nervion), Etxebarri and Ariz (main line for L1 and L2).
• Zone 2A  (Right Bank of the river), from Lutxana (Line 1) to Berango (Line 1), inclusive.
• Zone 2B  (Left Bank of the river), from Gurutzeta/Cruces (Line 2) to Kabiezes (Line 2), inclusive.
• Zone 3  (Uribe Kosta), from Larrabasterra (Line 1) to Plentzia (Line 1), inclusive.

Metro Bilbao offered special cards that are personal and cannot be transferred, replaced by Barik cards on 2017, with a time limit of 5 years since the date of issue.[53] They can be obtained at any of the customer service offices of Metro Bilbao (located in the stations of Ansio, Casco Viejo, San Inazio and Areeta).

• Carnet Kidea Socio (Kidea Member Card): For use with monthly tickets and Super 50 tickets.
• Carnet Gaztea Joven (Youth Gaztea Card): For use with the youth ticket, monthly ticket and Super 50 tickets.
• Carnet Hirukotrans (Hirukotrans Card): For use with the Hirukotrans ticket.
• Carnet Gizatrans (Gizatrans Card): For use with Gizatrans ticket.
• Carnet Gizatrans para familia numerosa (Gizatrans card for large families): For use with Gizatrans ticket for large families.

Underground vending machine, where tickets can be acquired

The ticket system is closed, which means that validation of the ticket is required when entering the station and again when exiting.

There are different types of tickets, each of which has a different fare (updated as 2009):[54]

• Occasional ticket: One-way ticket. Can be transferred. Fares: 1 Zone: 1,40€; 2 Zones: 1,50€; 3 Zones: 1,60€
• Round-trip ticket: Valid for two trips (going and coming back). Can be transferred. Fares: 1 Zone: 2,80€; 2 Zones: 3€; 3 Zones: 3,20€
• Billete Día (Day Ticket): Unlimited trips the same day of the expedition of the ticket. Can be transferred. Fare: 4€ (valid in all zones).
• Billete colectivo (Groupal ticket): Valid for one trip or round trip, to be made on a specific date. Only for groups of 20 people or more. Fare: Variable.

In 2017[55] the following tikets was replaced by the Barik cards:

• Billete Mensual (Month Ticket): Unlimited trips in 30 days. Personal and cannot be transferred. A "Carnet Joven" (Youth Card), "Carnet de Socio del Metro" (Metro Honorary Member Card) or "Carnet Plus" (Plus Card) is required to obtain this ticket. Fare: 1 Zone: 29,40€; 2 Zones: 35€; 3 Zones: 40,70€
• Ticket Joven (Youth Ticket): Unlimited trips in 12 months. Personal and cannot be transferred. To obtain one is needed to have less than 26 years and a Youth Card. Fares: 1 Zone: 188€; 2 Zones: 221€; 3 Zones: 255€
• Super 50: Valid for 50 trips, to be made in 30 days. Personal and cannot be transferred. A "Carnet Joven" (Youth Card), "Carnet de Socio del Metro" (Metro Honorary Member Card) or "Carnet Plus" (Plus Card) is required to obtain this ticket. Fares: 1 Zone: 24,50€; 2 Zones: 29€; 3 Zones: 32,50€

• Combined ticket with Renfe (Uria): Valid for 10 trips. Can be transferred. Can be obtained in Abando Station and San Mames Station. The Uria ticket can be used in the following stations: Metro Bilbao: Zone A. Cercanías: Bilbao-Abando, Zabalburu Station, Ametzola Station, Autonomía Station, San Mamés Station, Olabeaga Station, Zorrotza Station, Miribilla Station and La Peña Station. The change between Renfe and Metro should be of 20 minutes or less. Fare: 9,65€.
• Combined ticket with Euskotren Trena. Valid for 10 trips, monthly or annual. Valid in the stations of Casco Viejo and Bolueta. The change between Euskotren Trena and Metro should be of 15 minutes or less.

Barik card

• Creditrans. Valid for as many trips as the money charge (pre-paid) of the card supports. Can be transferred and used several times in the same trip. Creditrans is a pre-paid card that can be used in Metro Bilbao, Euskotren Trena, the tram, FEVE, Bilbobus, Bizkaibus, Artxanda Funicular, Vizcaya Bridge, Lujua's Bus, Etxebarri Bus and Sopelbus. Fares: 1 Zone: 0,69€; 2 Zones: 0,83€; 3 Zones: 0,93€. Creditrans is the most popular and most used ticket system on Metro Bilbao and some other transportation systems.[56]
• Gizatrans (only valid for people older than 65 or some kind of physical disadvantage). Personal and cannot be transferred. It can be used in the same places as Creditrans with the exceptions of Sopelbus, FEVE and Vizcaya Bridge. Price (of a single Gizatrans card): 3€. Fares (for Metro Bilbao): 0,27€ (valid in all zones).[57]
• Hirukotrans (big families). Personal and cannot be transferred. To obtain one is needed to have a Hirukotrans Card. Only available for big families.

Creditrans, Gizatrans and Hirukotrans will no longer be issued after 31 March 2013 as they have been replaced by the Barik electronic card. Any old Creditrans with a credit on them can be used until the end of 2013.

The Metro network works from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 2:00 am on Friday and days before festive days. There is an all night service from Saturday to Sunday, with trains each 15 minutes on the main lines and with a 30-minute frequency on the other lines. During June, July, August and September, the no-interruptions night service also works on Fridays. During "Bilbao's Great Week", there are special services every night.

During weekdays, there is a frequency of 2.5 minutes on Zone A, 5 minutes on Zone B.0, B.1 y B.2 and 18 minutes on Zone C during most of the day.

The Bilbao metro is the third-busiest in Spain. The highest ridership was achieved in 2019, when 91 million trips were made on the metro (not counting line 3).[58] There were significant increases in ridership in 2002 and 2007 due to the enlargement of the network. The busiest stations are Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo, Santimami/San Mamés, Abando, Moyua and Indautxu; all in Bilbao, with a ridership of more than 5 million in 2022.[1] Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo became the busiest station with the opening of line 3 in 2017.[59]

Metro Bilbao uses 500, 550, and 600 series trains, built by CAF. The company uses 24 trains of the first series, 13 of the second and 9 of the third. All vehicles are maintained and parked in Sopelana and Ariz.

The first 16 vehicles, which carry the numbers UT 501 to 516, were delivered by CAF and ABB in November 1995. Inside each car 2+2 seats are arranged respectively vis-à-vis in the colors of the Corporate design – red and grey. A set of 4 cars is 72.12-metre (236 ft 7+3⁄8 in) long, 3.85-metre (12 ft 7+5⁄8 in) high and 2.80-metre (9 ft 2+1⁄4 in) wide. This is especially wide for a train that uses narrow gauge, for example vehicles of the large profile Berlin U-Bahn are only 2.65-meter (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) wide, and they use the normal gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in).

The metro, like the commuter railroads in the region, is electrified at 1,500 V DC via overhead catenary. Each train has sixteen 180 kilowatt motors; together that yields 2880 kilowatts per train unit. The maximum speed is 80 kilometers per hour. A train can carry 712 people, with 144 seated and 568 standing (based upon six passengers standing per square meter).

The number of trains was increased after a renewed order in 1996, to a total of 24 trains with the numbers UT 517 until 524. For the newly constructed line 2, thirteen new trains were ordered from CAF and Adtranz (now parent company of ABB). These new series UT-550 trains were delivered in October 2001. This series offers improvements in energy efficiency and to the air-conditioning systems. These trains are able to climb the deep line 2 tunnel under the river.

Since 1998 automatic train protection, and automatic train operation are used. The latter implies that the train drivers must press solely a button, and the remainder of the train operation is done through the computer. This is to be seen as an initial stage for an entirely computer-controlled system.

The line shares rolling stock with the rest of the Euskotren Trena network. Currently, 900[63] and 950 series trains are used.[64]