Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has opened a new tender for the purchase of 35 new trains for the metro network, with a base price of 330 million euros excluding VAT (almost 400 million with VAT). This is one of the most significant tenders pending for the metropolitan company, after the previous offer was declared void last December.
The previous tender, which planned the acquisition of 39 trains, was declared void because the proposal from the sole participating company, the French multinational Alstom, was deemed "inadequate" by TMB for not meeting the established requirements.
Previously, the tender was marked by a controversy regarding Alstom's participation, which was initially banned for doing business in the occupied territories of Palestine, following a decision by the Barcelona City Council. Subsequently, United Nations issued a new report in which the company no longer appeared, allowing it to participate in the tender.
Of the 35 trains to be purchased, 22 will serve the central section of the L9 line, while the remaining 13 will reinforce conventional lines. The goal is to reduce train headways to under three and a half minutes in all cases, with even higher frequencies on L1 (every two minutes and 38 seconds) and L5 (every two minutes and 15 seconds).
The new metro trains, expected to arrive during 2029, will be more accessible and sustainable. Energy consumption will be improved thanks to lighter, eco-designed trains made from recyclable materials. Cybersecurity regulations will also be updated, and improvements in passenger information and comfort will be incorporated.
The operation will be financed by the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM): the Generalitat will contribute 51% of the cost, the Barcelona City Council 25%, and the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona 24%.
