Euskotren puts the manufacture of nine extra-long tram units for the extension to Zabalgana out to tender
- The new tram units will entail an investment of over €58 million and delivery will be staggered between the end of 2028 and the first half of 2029
- They will be 44 metres in length and have seven modules, and will feature greater accessibility and travel comfort
Euskotren, the publicly-owned company under the Basque Government’s Ministry of Sustainable Mobility, has put the manufacture of nine extra-long trams out to tender; they will be essential once the planned Zabalgana branch of the Vitoria-Gasteiz comes into service. The new tram units, which entail an investment of over €50 million, must be delivered between late 2028 and the first half of 2029, so that the nine are in the possession of Euskotren when the tramway reaches Zabalgana and the new Betoño engine sheds have also been built.
Prior to that, the three new extra-long units currently being manufactured are expected to start running in the second half of 2027; their delivery was brought forward to be able to meet the current increase in demand, which is particularly significant since the extension to Salburua and the public transport subsidies. Between January and August of this year alone, there were 7.6 million tram journeys, which is up nearly 11% on the same period of 2024.
The fleet, which will have 12 new tram units over the coming four years, needed to be increased in order to progress in the consolidation of the tramway as the backbone of urban transport, to connect new neighbourhoods and to offer a quality service,
BETTER ACCESSIBILITY AND GREATER COMFORT
The length of the new trams – 7 modules, 44 metres long and capacity for 400 people – will be the same as the seven extra-long units currently in circulation and as the three being manufactured. Their technical characteristics include better travel comfort, with a new climate control system for the hottest days.
Furthermore, specific measures to progress towards universal accessibility, i.e. that all people have equal opportunities to use adapted and inclusive public transport, will be included in the three units being manufactured and in the new purchases. In 2024, after extensive consultation of the associations and collective of differently abled people, the ‘Strategic Plan to Improve Accessibility 2024-2030’ was prepared and which provided an insight on the existing needs and put forward new solutions.
Thus, even though all the units in service are fully low floor and comply with current legislation, the signage in the 12 new trams will follow new universal accessibility parameters, foldable seats will be removed, and a different colour scheme will be used for priority seats so they can be better identified. The eight seats of preferential use for passengers with reduced mobility (the elderly, pregnant women, people travelling with small children, etc.) will be orange.
Just like the current ones, the new units will have a specific door reserved for people with visual, hearing or mobility disabilities to get on and off. They will also will also two specific spaces so wheelchair users can travel safely and with ease. Those spaces have door unlocking devices, push buttons to ask for stops and an alarm intercom with the driver.