Barcelona Metro

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Barcelona Metro
Barcelona Metro Logo.svg
FGC logo (2019).svg
Overview
Native nameMetro de Barcelona
Owner TMB (Lines 1-5, 9-11), FGC (Lines 6-8, 12)
Area servedBarcelona metropolitan area
Locale Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines12 lines (Total)
Number of stations189 (Total)
Daily ridership645,000 [1]
Annual ridership355,560,000 (2018) [2]
Website
Operation
Began operation1863;161 years ago (1863) (Partial)
1924;100 years ago (1924) (Full)
Operator(s) TMB (Lines 1-5, 9-11), FGC (Lines 6-8, 12)
Technical
System length
  • Total: 166 km (103.1 mi)
  • TMB: 128.3 km (79.7 mi)
  • FGC: 18.9 km (11.7 mi)
Track gauge
  • 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) for L8 barcelona.svg
  • 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+1316 in) for L1 barcelona.svg
  • 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) for all other lines
System map

Barcelona Metro Map.svg

Can Peixauet
station (L9 Nord). L9 051.JPG
Can Peixauet station (L9 Nord).
Placa de Catalunya
station (L1) Barcelona metro pl Catalunya.JPG
Plaça de Catalunya station (L1)
Universitat
station (L1) Metro Barcelona station Universitat L1.JPG
Universitat station (L1)
Gavarra
station (L5) Metro Barcelona station Gavarra L5.JPG
Gavarra station (L5)
Ticket vending machines at Sants Estacio
station. Venta tickes automatica metro barcelona.jpg
Ticket vending machines at Sants Estació station.

The Barcelona Metro (Catalan and Spanish: Metro de Barcelona) [lower-alpha 1] is a network of rapid transit electrified railway lines that run mostly underground in central Barcelona and into the city's suburbs. It is part of the larger public transport system of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, Spain, with unified fares under the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) scheme. As of 2024, the network is operated by two separate companies: Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC). It is made up of 12 lines, combining the lines owned by the two companies. Two lines, L9 and L10, are being built at present, with both lines having different sections of each opened between 2009 and 2018. They are due to be fully completed in 2030. [3] Three lines on the network have opened as automatic train operation/driverless vehicle systems since 2009: Line 11 being converted to driverless first, and then Lines 9 and 10, opening up driverless.

Contents

It is one of only two metros worldwide to operate on three different track gauges, being 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in) metre gauge on line 8, 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+1316 in) older Iberian gauge on line 1, and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge and the remaining lines; the other metro with three gauges being the Toei Subway in Tokyo, which uses two narrow gauges and standard gauge. It is the only metro worldwide to operate on both narrow and broad gauge tracks.

The network length is 170 kilometres (106 mi), with 183 stations, as of November 2021. It uses spare power from its regenerative braking to power charging stations in the vicinity of its infrastructure. [4]

History

The first rapid transit railway service in Barcelona was founded in 1863 by the private company Ferrocarril de Barcelona a Sarrià ("Railway from Barcelona to Sarrià", after 1916 Sarrià joined the municipality of Barcelona). Later this line evolved in what now is basically the current L6 metro service. This railway system, now part of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya company, was later inspired by the London Underground naming style having long names for the lines ("Sarrià line", "Balmes line"...).

Much later, in the 1920s, a second and a third rapid transit railway systems were founded with the construction of the Gran Metro between Lesseps and the Plaça de Catalunya (part of the modern L3) and, two years later, the Metro Transversal (now part of L1). This third one was built between the Plaça de Catalunya and la Bordeta to link the city centre with the Plaça d'Espanya and Montjuïc, the site of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. These two later rapid transit companies contrasted with the first one in being inspired by the Métropolitain de Paris (named after the Metropolitan Railway, from where the word "metro" comes).

As of 2022, the network consists of 12 lines managed by 2 different operators: Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC, or Catalan Government Railways). Fares and nomenclature are controlled by the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità, a citywide system that also includes local and regional buses, tramways and some commuter and regional train services.

Network

Since early 2020, the total length of the network is 166 km (103 mi) long and 189 stations, including the TMB+FGC+Montjuïc[ clarification needed ] funicular.

The major network, operated by TMB, consists of eight lines, numbered L1 to L5 and L9 to L11 (which are distinguished on network maps by different colours), covering 102.6 kilometres (63.8 mi) of route and 141 stations. [5]

FGC lines are numbered L6, L7, L8 and L12. These lines, except all of L12 and part of L7, share tracks with commuter rail lines.

The Barcelona Metro lines do not have a name of their own but are generally referred to by their colour or by the number and the names of their termini.[ citation needed ]

Lines

The lines run as follows:

Line NumberTerminiOperatorCurrent lengthApproved lengthCurrent stationsApproved stationsYear of openingGauge Electrification
L1 barcelona.svg
Hospital de Bellvitge-Fondo TMB 20.700 km
12.862 mi
29.758 km
18.491 mi
30381926 1,672 mm (5 ft 5+1316 in) 1,500 V DC rigid overhead line
L2 barcelona.svg
Paral·lelBadalona Pompeu Fabra 13.700 km
8.513 mi
18.466 km
11.474 mi
18341995 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,200–1,500 V DC rigid overhead line
L3 barcelona.svg
Zona Universitària-Trinitat Nova 18.400 km
11.433 mi
20.024 km
12.442 mi
26361924 1,200 V DC rigid overhead line
L4 barcelona.svg
Trinitat Nova-La Pau 17.300 km
10.750 mi
18.916 km
11.754 mi
22261973 (1926)
L5 barcelona.svg
Cornellà Centre-Vall d'Hebron 19.168 km
11.910 mi
271959
L6 barcelona.svg
Pl. Catalunya-Sarrià FGC 4.884 km
3.035 mi
8 (2 [lower-alpha 2] shared with L7)1929 (1863)1,500 V DC overhead line
L7 barcelona.svg
Pl. Catalunya-Av. Tibidabo 4.634 km
2.879 mi
7 (2 [lower-alpha 3] shared with L6)1953 (1863)
L8 barcelona.svg
Pl. Espanya-Molí Nou-Ciutat Cooperativa 11.266 km
7.000 mi
11212000 (1912) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
L9 barcelona.svg
Aeroport T1-Zona Universitària TMB 19.600 km
12.179 mi
47.800 km
29.702 mi
15392009 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)1,500 V DC rigid overhead line
La Sagrera-Can Zam 7.867 km
4.888 mi
9 (3 shared with L10)
L10 barcelona.svg
La SagreraGorg 5.570 km
3.461 mi
47.800 km
29.702 mi}
6 (3 shared with L9)3320101,200 V DC rigid overhead line
Collblanc-ZAL-Riu Vell 7.500 km
4.660 mi
11 (3 shared with L9)2018
L11 barcelona.svg
Trinitat NovaCan Cuiàs 2.109 km
1.310 mi
520031,500 V DC rigid overhead line
L12 barcelona.svg
SarriàReina Elisenda FGC 0.600 km
0.373 mi
3.200 km
1.988 mi
252016 (1976)

In addition to those, Renfe and FGC trains and the increasingly important tr am routes and stations are displayed on most recent maps, including the info maps in the metro stations, all in a single variety of dark green.

L9 and L10

Train arriving to Airport T1 station (Barcelona Metro line 9).

Construction work is taking place currently on L9/L10, which when finished will run from Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet to the Zona Franca district and El Prat International Airport. The lines, which share a central section between Bon Pastor and Can Tries | Gornal, will be the longest automated metro line in Europe, at 47.8 kilometres (29.7 mi), and combined will have 52 stations. The project was approved in 2000 [6] but has been challenged by some technical difficulties and some of their sections are pending further geological analysis. The first section of Line 9 that runs between La Sagrera and Can Zam opened in 2009, and by June 2010 eleven new stations on the new Lines L9 and L10 had opened. As of February 2016, the 15-station, 19.6-kilometre (12.2 mi) south section of Line L9 between Zona Universitària and the airport (Aeroport T1 station) opened. [7]

Rolling stock

Tickets and pricing

In addition to the one-way ticket there are a number of other tickets and cards. All of the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM) transport cards are valid and can be used in the Barcelona Metro. These are:

All of the metro stations are within fare zone 1.

Stations

TMB (top) and FGC (bottom, old) logos outside Placa de Catalunya station. Metro i FGC Placa Catalunya Barcelona.jpg
TMB (top) and FGC (bottom, old) logos outside Plaça de Catalunya station.
Elevators in Llefia station. Llefia metrostation.jpg
Elevators in Llefià station.
Llefia station (L10 Nord). LlefiaL10.JPG
Llefià station (L10 Nord).

At the end of 2018, there are 187 operational stations in the Barcelona Metro, served by the 12 lines in current use. The average distance between 2 stations is 807.50 metres.

An overwhelming majority of stations in the network lack related buildings or structures aboveground, mostly consisting of an access with stairs, escalators or elevators. The official TMB metro indicator, a red rhombus with a M inside, remains unused by FGC lines, which use their company logo and a different rhombus-shaped logo (actually rather similar to the one used inside the Madrid Metro) inside stations. Below ground their decoration is remarkably sober, with the exception of the new stations.

Disused stations

A number of stations in the network have been closed, were never inaugurated, or have been moved to a nearby location. See the main article for more details.

Accessibility

Accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility is nearing completion. As of April 2022, 8 out of 192 stations are not fully accessible.
The non accessible stations are:

Lines L2, L6, L7, L8, L9 Nord, L9 Sud, L10 Nord, L10 Sud, L11 and L12 are fully accessible.

Non accessible connections (in both directions):

For up to date info check the official sites of TMB and FGC

Transportation in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona

The Barcelona Metro is part of a larger transportation network, regulated and fare-integrated by Autoritat del Transport Metropolità.

Among these services, there are two large systems which operate both inside and outside the city limits of Barcelona: the commuter train lines operated by Renfe, amalgamated in the Rodalies Barcelona, or Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya lines which start in the metro lines the company operates (L6, L7 and L8) and which become a fully-fledged railway system which serves most of the metropolitan area: list of FGC lines. FGC is developing metros for Sabadell and Terrassa - see Barcelona–Vallès Line.

Network map

Barcelona Metro


The Spanish psychological horror film "Estación Rocafort" prominently features the Barcelona subway, with the Rocafort station serving as a key setting for much of the plot. The movie draws inspiration from the dark legend surrounding the Rocafort Station. [9] [10] Directed by Luis Prieto, the film stars Natalia Azahara alongside Javier Gutiérrez, Valèria Sorolla and Albert Baró.

See also

Barcelona Metro topics

Rapid transit in Barcelona

Other metro systems in Spain

Notes

  1. Local pronunciation:
  2. Plaça Catalunya and Provença share the same tracks, but Gràcia doesn't
  3. Plaça Catalunya and Provença share the same tracks, but Gràcia doesn't

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya</span> Railway company in Catalonia, Spain

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, or FGC, is a railway company which operates several unconnected lines in Catalonia, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barcelona Metro line 1</span> Rapid transit line in Barcelona, Spain

Line 1, shortened to L1, coloured red and often simply called Línia vermella, is the second oldest Barcelona Metro line, after line L3. It is the longest line of the Barcelona Metro, and links L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Originally operated by the independent Ferrocarril Metropolitano Transversal de Barcelona, it is today operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and is part of the ATM fare-integrated main transport system. L1 is the only metro line in Spain to use Iberian gauge tracks, as used by most Spanish main line railways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barcelona Metro line 9</span> Rapid transit line in Barcelona, Spain

Line 9 is a completely automated line of the Barcelona Metro network that is currently under construction, with 24 stations open in Barcelona and El Prat de Llobregat, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet suburbs, since December 2009. The line is currently disconnected in two branches, with a connecting part between the two yet to be built. The Aeroport T1 – Zona Universitària section is called L9 South, and the La Sagrera – Can Zam portion L9 North. Upon completion, it will be the longest underground metro line in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provença–Diagonal station</span> Barcelona Metro station

Provença is the name of a Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya station located under Avinguda Diagonal and Balmes street. The station is served by FGC-operated Barcelona Metro lines L6 and L7, and Metro del Vallès suburban metro lines S1 and S2. Diagonal is the name of an important station in TMB-operated Barcelona Metro network. It is named after Avinguda Diagonal, where the station is located together with Passeig de Gràcia. It is served by TMB-operated Barcelona Metro lines L3 and L5, and it is also connected with FGC station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaça d'Espanya station</span> Metro station in Barcelona, Spain

Plaça d'Espanya, also simply known as Espanya, is an interchange complex underneath Plaça d'Espanya, in the Barcelona district of Sants-Montjuïc, in Catalonia, Spain. It comprises the Barcelona terminus of the Llobregat–Anoia Line and a Barcelona Metro station complex served by lines 1 (L1) and 3 (L3). On the L1, the station is between Hostafrancs and Rocafort, and on the L3 it is between Poble Sec and Tarragona. The Llobregat–Anoia Line station is served by Barcelona Metro line 8 (L8), Baix Llobregat Metro lines S33, S4 and S8, and commuter rail lines R5, R6, R50 and R60. The services on the Llobregat–Anoia Line are operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), whilst the L1 and L3 are operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universitat (Barcelona Metro)</span> Metro station in Barcelona, Spain

Universitat is a Barcelona Metro station named after Plaça de la Universitat, split between Eixample and Ciutat Vella districts of Barcelona, where the station is located in. This square holds the historical building of Universitat de Barcelona, celebrated for its neo-Gothic style. The station is accessible for disabled persons since 1995, when Barcelona Metro line 2 opened its platforms. It is served by TMB-operated Barcelona Metro lines L1 and L2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Sagrera-Meridiana station</span> Metro and commuter rail interchange complex in Barcelona, Spain

La Sagrera-Meridiana, simply known as La Sagrera, is an interchange complex underneath Avinguda Meridiana, in the Barcelona district of Sant Andreu, in Catalonia, Spain. It consists of a Rodalies de Catalunya station and three Barcelona Metro stations. The Rodalies de Catalunya station is located in the Meridiana Tunnel on the Lleida to Barcelona via Manresa railway, between Fabra i Puig and Arc de Triomf, and is operated by Renfe Operadora. It is served by Barcelona commuter rail service lines R3 and R4, as well as regional rail line R12. The Barcelona Metro stations are on lines 1 (L1) and 5 (L5), as well as the northern section of line 9/10, and are operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB). On the L1, the station is between Navas and Fabra i Puig, on the L5 between Camp de l'Arpa and Congrés, and on the L9/L10 between Plaça Maragall (future) and Sagrera - TAV. The station is also projected to become the terminus of the L4 once the extension from La Pau opens. A number of interurban bus services stop near the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barcelona Metro line 10</span> Rapid transit line in Barcelona, Spain

Line 10 is the name of one of the two branches of the Barcelona metro line 9, currently (2020) under construction and to be operated by TMB. Like Line 9 and Line 11, it will be an automatic train operation metro line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plaça de Catalunya station</span> Barcelona Metro station

Plaça de Catalunya station, also known as Barcelona-Plaça Catalunya, Plaça Catalunya or simply Catalunya is a major station complex in Barcelona located under Plaça de Catalunya, the city's central square and a large transport hub. Many Rodalies de Catalunya, Barcelona Metro and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya lines go through it and many bus routes link it with all of the districts of the city and most of the municipalities in its metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarrià station</span> Railway and metro station in Barcelona, Spain

Sarrià is a railway station located under the Via Augusta at Carrer de l'Hort de la Vila in the Sarrià neighbourhood of the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona, Spain. It is served by lines L6 and L12 of the Barcelona Metro, and by lines S1 and S2 of the Metro del Vallès commuter rail system. All these lines are operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, who also run the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barcelona–Vallès Line</span> Railway line in Barcelona, Spain

The Barcelona–Vallès Line is an unconnected standard gauge rapid transit and commuter railway line linking Barcelona with Sabadell and Terrassa via the Collserola mountain range, in Catalonia, Spain. Its name refers to the Catalan historical region of Vallès, whereby most part of the line runs. Plaça de Catalunya station serves as the Barcelona terminus of the line, where almost all its trains either start or terminate. The line then continues northwards and branches off twice before leaving the city limits. Its main route splits in two in Sant Cugat del Vallès, forming two major branches to Sabadell and Terrassa. It has 40 passenger stations in operation and a total line length of 48.1 kilometres (29.9 mi).

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is the main public transit operator in Barcelona. A combination of two formerly-separate companies, Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona, SA. and Transports de Barcelona, SA., it runs most of the metro and local bus lines in Barcelona and the metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gràcia station</span> Metro station in Barcelona, Spain

Gràcia is a railway station located under Plaça de Gal·la Placídia in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. It is served both by lines L6 and L7 of the Barcelona Metro, and by lines S1 and S2 of the Metro del Vallès commuter rail system. All these lines are operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, who also run the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avinguda Carrilet station</span> Metro station in Barcelona, Spain

Avinguda Carrilet, also known as L'Hospitalet Avinguda Carrilet, is an interchange complex underneath Avinguda Carrilet in the L'Hospitalet de Llobregat municipality, to the south-west of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. It consists of a railway station on the Llobregat–Anoia Line and a Barcelona Metro line 1 (L1) station. The Llobregat–Anoia Line station is served by Barcelona Metro line 8 (L8), Baix Llobregat Metro lines S33, S4 and S8, and commuter rail lines R5, R6, R50 and R60. The services on the Llobregat–Anoia Line are operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), whilst the L1 is operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airport T2 station</span> Subway station at Barcelona Airport

Airport T2 is both a Rodalies de Catalunya commuter rail station and a Barcelona Metro station serving terminal complex T2 of Barcelona–El Prat Airport. They are located adjacent to the airport's terminal T2B, in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, to the southwest of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. The Rodalies de Catalunya station is the southern terminus of the current rail link coming from El Prat de Llobregat railway station. It is operated by Renfe Operadora and is served by Barcelona commuter rail service line R2 Nord. The metro station is on the airport branch of Barcelona Metro line 9 (L9) and is operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail transport in Catalonia</span> Railway system in Catalonia

Rail transport in Catalonia operates on three rail gauges and services are operated by a variety of public operators:

Public transport in Barcelona is operated by several companies, most of which are part of the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità, a transport authority managing services in the Barcelonès and the rest of the metropolitan area of Barcelona. This article is a summary with transport facilities and services strictly within the municipality of Barcelona, and contains links to more specific articles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Prat de Llobregat railway station</span> Railway station in El Prat de Llobregat, Spain

El Prat de Llobregat or El Prat Estació is both a Rodalies de Catalunya and a Barcelona Metro station serving the suburb of El Prat de Llobregat, to the south-west of Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. It is on the conventional Madrid–Barcelona railway and is served by all trains on Barcelona commuter rail service lines R2 and R2 Nord, as well as some R2 Sud trains. Some trains on regional line R15 also call at the station. The metro station is on the airport branch of Barcelona Metro line 9 (L9) and is operated by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB).

References

  1. "Discover how Barcelona organizes its Metro".
  2. "Metropolitan Transport Authority – ATM" (PDF). ATM.cat. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. "El Govern retrasa hasta 2030 la entrada en servicio del tramo central de la L9 y la L10 del metro de Barcelona". 20minutos. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  4. Donback, Natalie (24 September 2024). "Barcelona is turning subway trains into power stations". Grist. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  5. "Transport in figures – Basic transport data". TMB. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2014.length of TMB lines.
  6. "News article" (PDF). people.reed.edu.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. "Driverless metro reaches Barcelona airport". Railway Gazette International . 12 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  8. "Barcelona travel guide". 28 June 2018.
  9. "La maldición que pesa sobre la parada de metro de Rocafort". 17 December 2018.
  10. Ha-neul Jung. Investigaciones Paranormales en la Estación Rocafort. Caesar Cipher Editores.