Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, officially confirmed on December 11, 2025, that the modernization work on Madrid Metro’s Line 6 (the Circle Line) has been completed ahead of schedule. Contrary to the original plan, the affected section between Legazpi and Moncloa stations will reopen to the public on December 20, 11 days earlier than anticipated. This ensures that residents can use this key line again before the Christmas holidays.
A €168.5 Million Modernization Project
The renovation project, which began in June 2025, involved a total investment of €168.5 million. The work covered 86 kilometers of the line, with a core focus on completely updating 13 electrical substations and increasing the voltage of the train power supply system from 600 to 1500 volts to significantly boost energy efficiency and operational performance. To minimize the impact on commuters, the project was carried out in phases and supplemented by a free alternative transport solution provided by EMT-SE (Special Service) city buses.
New Driverless Trains to Increase Capacity
This upgrade also introduces new trains manufactured by the CAF company in Zaragoza. The new trains feature a 6-car configuration, are approximately 90 meters long, and have no driver’s cabin due to the adoption of driverless technology. This increases interior space by 17%, allowing a single train to carry up to 1,385 passengers. Furthermore, the new trains have a top speed of 110 km/h, a 33% increase compared to the old models, which will effectively reduce commute times.
Goal: Full Automation by 2027
According to the long-term vision of the Community of Madrid, this renovation is a crucial step towards the full automation of Line 6. It is projected that by 2027, with all 40 new driverless trains in operation, Madrid Metro Line 6 will become the first fully automated line in the city’s network. By then, the line’s daily passenger capacity is expected to reach 430,000, marking a major leap forward for the capital’s public transport system.
