Euskotren Tranbia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Euskotren Tranbia |
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 Bilbao Euskotran 404.jpg |
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| Info | |
| Locale | Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain) |
| Transit type | Tram |
| Headquarters |
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| Operation | |
| Began operation |
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| Operator(s) | Euskotren |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Electrification | 750 V DC overhead catenary |
Euskotren Tranbia is the name for the tram networks in two cities in the Basque Country in Spain: Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bilbao. Trams are like electric buses that run on special tracks, usually in the street.
The tram system in Bilbao started running in 2002. The one in Vitoria-Gasteiz opened a bit later, in 2008. Euskotren Tranbia is part of a bigger public company called Euskotren, which is managed by the Basque Government. The tracks are owned by a public group called Euskal Trenbide Sarea. These tracks are "narrow gauge," meaning they are 1000 millimeters (about 3.3 feet) wide.
Contents
What are the Services Like?
Euskotren Tranbia runs tram networks in two different areas: Vitoria-Gasteiz (in the Álava province) and Bilbao (in the Biscay province).
The first tram network, originally called EuskoTran, began in Bilbao in 2002. It took two years to build! It first connected Bilbao-Atxuri Station with Uribitarte. Over time, the line grew longer. It now reaches places like the famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Basurto Hospital, and La Casilla.
The tram system in Vitoria-Gasteiz opened in 2008. It looks like a "Y" shape on a map, with two lines that go across the city from south to north.
Trams often run on the street, sometimes sharing space with cars and sometimes on their own special tracks. They can also share lanes with local bus services, like TUVISA in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bilbobus in Bilbao.
How are the Stops Designed?
Each tram system has its own unique stops. Some stops are even shared with bus services. Most stops have low platforms, which makes it easy to get on and off the tram.
A few stops in Bilbao, like Atxuri, Ribera, and Abando, don't have special platforms. People just use the sidewalk to get on. Except for Atxuri, all stops are "unstaffed," meaning there are no workers there. You buy tickets from machines.
All tram stops have screens that show the network map, the current time and temperature, and how often trams will arrive. Because the platforms are low, you can cross the tracks at ground level to get to the other side. The low platforms are great because they are almost level with the tram doors. This makes it super easy for people using wheelchairs, strollers, or for older people to get on without steps. In areas where the tram runs on the street, the sidewalk is part of the tram stop.
The Bilbao system has 14 stops, while the Vitoria system has 23 stops.
Tickets and Fares
Both tram systems use regular paper tickets and special smartcards. These smartcards are called BAT, Barik, and Mugi. You can buy single tickets for one ride, daily tickets for a whole day of travel, or monthly tickets if you ride often.
The price of a ticket is the same no matter how far you travel on each network. There are no different "zones" that change the price.
The Trams Themselves
Euskotren Tranbia uses a fleet of 26 trams made by a company called CAF Urbos. "Fleet" means all the trams they own. These trams are used across both the Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz networks.
Current Trams
Here's a look at the different types of trams they use:
| Class | Image | Number | Network | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400 series (CAF Urbos 1) |  |
8 | Bilbao | 2002–present | |
| 500 series (CAF Urbos 2) |  |
11 | Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz | 2008–present | 3 in Bilbao 8 in Vitoria-Gasteiz |
| 600 series (CAF Urbos 3) | 7 | Vitoria-Gasteiz | 2020–present |
The 400 series has 8 trams (numbered 401 to 408). They were built especially for the Bilbao network. These trams are about 24.4 meters (80 feet) long. They have 70% "low floor access," meaning most of the tram floor is low to the ground, making it easy to get in. Each tram has three sections and can carry up to 196 passengers. These are the only CAF Urbos 1 trams ever made!
The 500 series has 11 trams (numbered 501 to 511). They were first built for Vitoria-Gasteiz. These trams are longer, about 31.4 meters (103 feet). They have 100% low floor access, so the entire floor is low. Each tram has five sections and can carry up to 261 passengers. Because newer, bigger trams (the 600 series) are now in Vitoria-Gasteiz, three of these 500 series trams will be moved to Bilbao.
The 600 series has 7 trams (numbered 601 to 607). They were built for the Vitoria-Gasteiz network and started running in 2020. These are the longest trams, at 44.2 meters (145 feet). They also have 100% low floor access. Each tram has seven sections and can carry a lot of people, up to 398 passengers!
What the Trams Look Like
The trams used to be painted with grey and green stripes, which were the original colors of Euskotren Tranbia. Now, the trams are mostly white and green. This is called their "livery."
Future Plans
There are always ideas for how to make the tram networks even better!
Bilbao Plans
There are plans to make the tram lines in Bilbao even longer, reaching new parts of the city. This would help more people use the tram to get around.
Vitoria-Gasteiz Plans
In Vitoria-Gasteiz, there are also plans to expand the tram network. This includes adding new lines and stops to connect more neighborhoods.
Projects That Didn't Happen
Sometimes, big plans for new tram lines don't end up happening. Here are a couple of examples:
Barakaldo Tram
There were ideas to build a tram network in a town called Barakaldo, near Bilbao. The plan was for it to connect to another tram line and go in a circle around the city center. It would have had fifteen stops in Barakaldo and two in a nearby town called Sestao. Even though this project hasn't been officially cancelled, no work has been done on it since 2010.
Leioa Tram
Another project was to build a tramway in the town of Leioa, also near Bilbao. This project had two main parts. The first part was building a place to store and fix the trams, along with offices. The second part was building the actual tram line and stops from the University of the Basque Country campus to downtown Leioa, with nine stops. There was even a third idea to make the tram cross the Estuary of Bilbao and connect Leioa to another area with two more stations.
Only the first part (the depot and offices) was ever built. After being delayed many times, the whole project was stopped in 2018.
See also
In Spanish: Euskotren Tranbia para niños
- Euskotren Trena
